As long as qualitative research will exist, focus group will be the preferred one amongst the researchers. Nowadays focus groups going online is beneficial for the researchers since it is much more convenient, time and cost saving, and delivering more in-depth insights. It enable to connect with participants anywhere in the world without visiting them or the participant don’t require to come to any place for the interviews. It can be easily conducted with participants taking part and sharing their views on the topic in real time. Online qualitative approach is much competitive in comparison to the traditional ones used in conducting focus groups. It is even feasible for small businesses with a limited budget.
There are two ways to conduct online focus group:
Webcam Interviewing: It’s a real time platform where the participants and the moderator get together to have online discussions and review stimuli while seeing and hearing each other. Here the whole session continues for about 1.5-2 hours, researchers see and hear what the participants are saying.
Bulletin Board Focus Group: It’s asynchronous in nature which takes places for about 3-5 days and allow participants to upload images, videos and etc. Questions are posted here by the moderator and later the participant log in and answers them.