What is a key feature of a focus group?

A focus group is characterized by the use of a facilitator who manages the discussion, encouraging interaction among participants while ensuring the conversation remains relevant to the research topic. This role is crucial for eliciting diverse opinions and insights that might emerge through group dynamics, fostering an environment where participants can build upon each other's responses.

The choice of a facilitator is vital as they help guide the group discussion, prompting participants with questions and ensuring that all voices are heard, which can lead to richer qualitative data. This structured yet open-ended format differentiates focus groups from other research methods, such as surveys or individual interviews, where the level of interaction and discussion is limited.

In contrast, randomly selected participants might not necessarily be a staple of focus groups, as they often comprise individuals selected for their shared experiences or characteristics relevant to the topic being studied. A smaller and more manageable number of participants is typical in focus groups, allowing for more in-depth discussion rather than large groups, which could inhibit conversation. Lastly, focus groups are defined by their group discussions rather than individual interviews, which focus on one person at a time, making the use of a facilitator fundamental to their function.