The use of focus groups to investigate sensitive topics: an example taken from research on adolescent girls' perceptions about sexual risks.

The methodology of focus groups has been increasingly employed in the context of research in the social sciences, particularly in health-related inquiries. Considerations about the sensitive aspects of such research are not, however, very often seen in research reports or discussion on ways of conducting sensitive research. The scope of this paper is to share an experience of conducting focus group research on sensitive topics, such as AIDS, risk and sexual issues, highlighting some methodological issues. More specifically, it suggests ways of working with teenage girls in focus groups about sensitive topics. The advantages of the use of focus groups to explore views on HIV/AIDS and other sexual risks are also discussed. Socio-cultural approaches to risk and feminist thinking permeate the main arguments.