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Question 01

What is the difference between a focus group and a group interview?

a) A focus group is used only for political research, whereas group interviews are more widely used in the social sciences.

b) A focus group is used at the planning stage of a research project, whereas a group interview is part of the actual data collection.

c) A focus group is used to discuss a wide range of issues, whereas a group interview looks at one specific topic.

d) A focus group is used to analyse group interaction, whereas a group interview is used as a straight forward data collection tool.

Question 02

What particular role do focus groups have in business research?

a) They overcome the issue of organising individual interviews with senior managers.

b) They help to bypass the issues of anonymity and confidentiality.

c) They allow for an open discussion of power relations in the workplace.

d) They help individuals work together to identify potential solutions.

Question 03

How have focus groups been used in market research?

a) To assess the popularity of various existing products.

b) To help plan new HR strategies.

c) To discuss reactions to new advertisements.

d) To allow for research into farmers opinions.

Question 04

Which of the following is not a reason why it is preferable to tape record a focus group session?

a) It is quicker and easier to make brief notes about what is said.

b) It enables the researcher to identify which people are acting as opinion leaders.

c) Without a tape recording it is difficult to keep an accurate record of who said what.

d) It allows for analysis of how certain points are put forward.

Question 05

What does the term theoretical saturation mean in reference to the number of focus groups to conduct?

a) The degree to which the researcher is able to present information about complex social theories.

b) The extent that the issues discussed across focus groups contradict each other.

c) When different groups are consistently making similar points about the major issues under discussion.

d) All of the above.

Question 06

When is it important for the focus group moderator to involve themselves in the discussion?

a) When the participants become passionate about the subject.

b) When the participants begin to discuss a completely unrelated topic.

c) When the moderator disagrees with a point being made.

d) When the moderator wants to praise a particular response from a participant.

Question 07

Which of the following questions might be explored by using an employee focus group?

a) What is the extent of employee theft in the workplace?

b) Which manager is the least trusted by employees and why?

c) What are employee attitudes to corporate image?

d) What links are there between salary level and personal productivity?

Question 08

Disagreements in a focus group should be encouraged because:

a) they take the focus away from the specific issue under discussion.

b) they engender greater reflection on the part of participants.

c) they enhance the possibility of physical confrontation.

d) they help to create a negative atmosphere after the group has finished.

Question 09

By using the focus group method which issue can feminist researchers avoid?

a) Decontextualization.

b) Deconfiguration.

c) Destabilization.

d) Degenderization.

Question 10

Which of the following is not regarded as a limitation of focus groups?

a) The potential for the group to conform to one dominant opinion.

b) It does not allow for large volumes of data to be collected.

c) Organization of focus groups is not straight forward.

d) The researcher has less control over the proceedings.

Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Chapter 19.

Chapter 19

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