answer questions

Online Focus Group
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Course:
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The article is a bit dated (2004), so what updated platforms or websites might be utilized to conduct OFGs?
Web conferencing services (Kite & Phongsavan, 2017).
Social media networks such as Facebook.
What was the most important information you gleaned from the article?
Online focus groups (OFG) have emerged as essential qualitative methods which allow researchers to get primary data from people across different time zones. Unfortunately, little scholarly works have been written about this method of data collection. OFGs can be classified into two major groups namely; synchronous and asynchronous.
The synchronous group is more or less similar to traditional face to face focus groups because they are characterized by real-time interaction between the respondents and the researcher, but instead of using classrooms they employ software packages and chatrooms (Kite & Phongsavan, 2017). Synchronous focus groups are advantageous in the sense that they enable moderators to gain real-time and spontaneous reactions from the respondents, thus making the results more reliable (Oringderff, 2004). However, these types of OFGs are disadvantageous in the sense that moderators can find it difficult to manage respondents from multiple time zones.
On the other hand, asynchronous groups are those that allow respondents to participate in discussion questions at their convenient time via listservs, mail, and discussion groups.

This OFGs are advantageous in the sense that they are able to address the issues of different time zones and provides important allowances to respondents with different typing capabilities (Oringderff, 2004). They also give respondents more time to focus and reflect on their responses.
Overall merits of OFGs include:
Minimal stringent time limits.
They are not as expensive as other qualitative methods of data collection.
They can take up as many participants as possible.
OFGs are capable of producing more accurate and rich responses.
They are convenient as respondents provide answers at their comfort.
They uphold utmost degrees of confidentiality and anonymity ethics.
Demerits of OFGs
Recruitment of participants can be challenging because of the difficulty to access specific target groups.
Participation is also pegged on the respondents’ access to computers.
It can be time-consuming if not well thought out.
Lack of vocal and nonverbal cues might also be disadvantageous.
Cybersecurity challenges might also present themselves.
Best OFGs Practice Guidelines
Bring respondents together, especially those that are comfortable with using an electronic medium.
Clarify procedures.
Select the best-qualified moderator.
Consider where and when to source for respondents.
Ensure the discussion does not sway off.
Clarify your limitations.
Propose a research question that might be best answered by using OFGs?
What are the impacts of smartphones on the global economy?
References
Kite, J., & Phongsavan, P. (2017). Insights for conducting real-time focus groups online using a web conferencing service. F1000Research, 6.
Oringderff, J. (2004). ” My Way”: Piloting an Online Focus Froup. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 3(3).