Which of the following research methods involves a small group discussion facilitated by a moderator?

Which of the following research methods involves a small group discussion facilitated by a moderator?

• A. Survey
• B. Focus group
• C. Case study
• D. Observation

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is focus group. A focus group is a qualitative research method that gathers a small group of participants to discuss a specific topic or set of issues, facilitated by a moderator who guides the discussion. This environment allows for in-depth exploration of participants' thoughts, feelings, and motivations, providing insights that might not emerge through more structured methods like surveys. In contrast, surveys typically consist of standardized questions distributed to a larger audience for quantitative data collection, lacking the interactive discussion element. A case study involves an in-depth investigation of a specific instance, person, or group, often focusing on comprehensive data over time rather than a group discussion. Observation focuses on watching behaviors or events in real-time to gather data without directly engaging participants in conversation. The interactive and discursive nature of a focus group makes it uniquely suited for exploring complex issues in a collaborative manner.

The correct answer is focus group. A focus group is a qualitative research method that gathers a small group of participants to discuss a specific topic or set of issues, facilitated by a moderator who guides the discussion. This environment allows for in-depth exploration of participants' thoughts, feelings, and motivations, providing insights that might not emerge through more structured methods like surveys.

In contrast, surveys typically consist of standardized questions distributed to a larger audience for quantitative data collection, lacking the interactive discussion element. A case study involves an in-depth investigation of a specific instance, person, or group, often focusing on comprehensive data over time rather than a group discussion. Observation focuses on watching behaviors or events in real-time to gather data without directly engaging participants in conversation. The interactive and discursive nature of a focus group makes it uniquely suited for exploring complex issues in a collaborative manner.