What are the advantages and disadvantages of a focus group?

Answer 1

Focus GroupsFocus groups are a great way to get input, feedback and dialogue with the potential consumer/audience. It's important to speak with your audience before releasing a product to know if the ideas you've had so far will really work when released. Often, we get so wrapped up in our project that we forget to study what the product's supposed audience thinks and feels. This could be a great way to save time and money in the long run.

On the flip side, focus groups can be expensive and time consuming, so be ready to invest. Keep the long run in mind, though.

Also, it's easy to get wrapped up in the focus group feedback as well. Be practical; take as much as you can from it, but sometimes, you just have to go with your gut.

The advantages of focus groups according to Al-hajji Issa of Mountains of the Moon University include;

It is quick, cheap and relatively easy to assemble.

Good for getting rich data in participants' own words and developing deeper in sight.

People are able to build on others' responses and come up with ideas they might not have thought of in a one on one interview.

They are very cost effective in terms of gathering primary data and are very much time efficient.

The main disadvantage of focus groups is that it is not suitable for gathering quantitative data.