RESEARCH ON GROUP FORMATION BY USING THE FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION PRACTICE THROUGH THE ACTOR-NETWORK THEORY (ANT) PERSPECTIVE

• Main Author: Siswandi
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/33304
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is known as a method of extracting qualitative data in research. The phenomenon of applying the method of Focus Group Discussion has been going on for a long time, both in developed and developing countries. The usage of the FGD method covers many fields of research such as health, education, marketing, and other social research. In all these different areas of research the method is considered beneficial for extracting qualitative data. Some sources state that researchers use this method as a means to obtain qualitative data required, without carrying any element of interest. On the other hand there has not been any study yet addressing the FGD methodology as a potential contributor or instrument to influence certain parties through issues and interests raised and promoted by the organizers. The FGD process is a social phenomenon; therefore for this study a theory that observes networks in social reality, called Actor-Network Theory (ANT) is chosen. The social reality involves many actors and a variety of interests. The method uses a combination of qualitative tools combined with rational analysis and is based on relationships and roles among various actors. The research is expected to identify and extract the composition of the existing networks as well as to provide suggestions on how use the FGD as a tool to influence actors. This reflective research is motivated by the implementation of the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in a research project entitled “Towards Inclusive Biofuel Innovation in Indonesia” conducted by the Institute of Research and Community Services, Development Studies Program, Institute of Technology Bandung. The Focus group discussion contains the assumption that the group of participants is an established group and that the organizers do not carry any interests. When the FGD method is assessed by the Actor-Network Theory (ANT) the above mentioned principles of the FGD method are questioned. According to ANT there is no group, only group formation. Group formation occurs through interaction with the following parameters; calculation, negotiation, and translation of actors. In thus way the application of ANT reveals a new perspective of the commonly applied FGD in which the interaction occurs merely by exchanging ideas and network-actor relations are relatively isolated and do not develop. When the organizer does not completely observe the standard rules, presents the issue of interest openly, and intervenes purposely, while observing the group formation patters, then in addition to a tool to extract qualitative data, validation, and triangulation, this method successfully promotes and encourages interaction between the actors, where an idea is circulated, the actors are in translation with each other and the networks are dense and spread out. Thus, from an ANT perspective, this study contributes to the enrichment of the FGD method. Especially when the issues of interest by the organizers are communicated transparently.