Danish Focus group protocol for children & adults: Methodology for kindergarten based focus groups on food and meals and physical activity

As one aim of the research was to gain knowledge about children’s perception on food and meals as well as physical activity, it was decided that a qualitative method would be most appropriate. In addition the use of FG as research method was chosen, as this method gives the researcher the opportunity to explore the children’s knowledge and perception of a given subject. Thus recognizes the participants as experts of their world. FG’s have the additional advantages of minimize the possibility of the children responding to please the interviewer, and also remove the pressure from the individual child (Heary & Hennessy, 2002).
As in this particularly research it is decided to use the FG method to collect the dietary empiric, it must also be recognised that this method is not common to use with children at the age of 5, and therefore finding literature with best suitable ways to conduct the interviews have unfortunately not been found. Thus, the FG method used in this research is conducted explorative and modified to fit the aims of the research.