The possibilities of the focus group method in the process of training specialists in the field of social work

The main advantages and disadvantages of the focus group method as a qualitative method of em-pirical research are revealed. The main directions of application of the focus group method are de-fined - the effectiveness of general and private social work technologies, changes in the main char-acteristics of objects and subjects of social work, the development of new forms, technologies, di-rections of social work, the implementation of social work in the non–commercial sector. It is con-cluded that the focus group method is actively used in such areas of social work as education, healthcare, and social protection, and the ability to apply it in practice reflects a high level of train-ing of specialists and a deep understanding of the interdisciplinary connections between sociology and social work.