Focus group research is a very common method for PR. What occurs during a focus group? What role does the moderator play? What are the benefits and drawbacks of focus group research?

What will be an ideal response?


A focus group is essentially a collective depth interview ideally conducted with between six to 12 participants. Thus, it allows for the flexibility of follow-up questions and the group situation stimulates discussion. It’s typically video recorded for later analysis of both spoken and visual expressions. The moderator’s skill is crucial in establishing rapport, posing questions, probing for insight, and managing any participants who might tend to control the conversation.
Focus group research is relatively inexpensive and allows for recruiting and assembling participants rather quickly, yielding immediate findings. However, there are some disadvantages. Depending on circumstances, it may be hard to get a group of suitable participants all together at the same time, in the same place. It’s also unpredictable: some participants may be inhibited by public speaking or being recorded. As with any qualitative methods, results cannot be generalized to a larger population.

Communication & Mass Media

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The glass ceiling refers to informal barriers __________ experience, like discrimination, prejudice, and barriers to advancement in an organization

Fill in the blanks with correct word

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The theory that uses the ideas of social exchange but goes a step farther and claims that you develop

and maintain relationships in which the ratio of rewards relative to your costs is approximately equal to your partner's is called __________ theory. A) equity B) intimate C) relationship D) social penetration

Communication & Mass Media

In the 1999 case of Greater New Orleans Broadcasting v. United States the Supreme Court held that:

a. The power of government to regulate gambling includes the power to prohibit advertising of gambling. b. Commercial speech deserves exactly the same degree of protection as political speech. c. Commercial advertising, even if truthful, has no greater protection than obscenity. d. Where gambling casinos are legal, the government may not prohibit their advertising unless the ban directly advances a substantial interest.

Communication & Mass Media

According to ______ the media produce messages that support the dominant ideology.

A. agenda setting theory B. encoding/decoding theory C. social cognitive theory of mass communication D. cultivation theory

Communication & Mass Media