What is a key characteristic of focus groups?

Focus groups are structured discussions that leverage the dynamic interactions among participants to gather insights on a specific topic. A key characteristic is the use of open question routes, which allows for a flexible dialogue among group members. This approach encourages participants to express their thoughts and experiences in their own words, fostering a deeper understanding of their perceptions and behaviors. The open nature of the questions promotes discussion and can lead to the emergence of new ideas and perspectives that may not surface through more rigid questioning methods.

In contrast, prioritizing individual responses typically aligns more with methods like interviews, where the focus is on one person's viewpoint rather than group dynamics. Avoiding questioning strategies would undermine the purpose of a focus group, as facilitating a guided conversation is essential to obtaining meaningful insights. Lastly, focus groups primarily gather qualitative data through verbal exchanges rather than emphasizing quantitative data collection, which is more common in surveys or experiments aimed at statistical analysis.