When a focus group deals with a potentially sensitive topic, which of the following statements about providing confidentiality to focus group participants is correct? the researcher cannot control what participants repeat about others outside the group. using pseudonyms in reports removes the concern about any confidences shared in the group. if group members know each other confidentiality is not an issue. if group participants sign confidentiality agreements, the researcher can guarantee confidentiality.

The correct answer is: "The researcher cannot control what participants repeat about others outside the group".

A focus group is a tool used in qualititative research, and it is constituted by a diverse group of people in terms of demographic characteristics whose reactions are tracked and analyzed. It can be applied in marketing research, when analyzing the feelings that a new product generates or in political analysis. It tries to foresee which could be the reactions in the population as a whole by using this kind of sample.

The criticism made to this tecnique is mainly due to the lack confidentiality and the related biases that could affect the results. Participants may answer what they expect that other group members or the moderator wants to hear, and they might not express unpopular opinions (specially on sensitive topics) if anonimity is not guaranteed. Usually, confidentiality agreements and other measures (pseudonyms) are implemented aiming to control this issue, but it can never be ensured 100%.

The researcher cannot control what participants repeat about others outside the group.

Further Explanation:

Focus group:  

A Focus group is a social affair of intentionally chose individuals who take part in an arranged dialog proposed to inspire purchaser observations about a specific point or zone of enthusiasm for a situation that is non-undermining and responsive. Concentrate gatherings are a group deliberately.  

Focus group technique:

A Focus group is a typical subjective research system utilized by organizations for showcasing purposes. It regularly comprises of few members, more often than not around six to 12, from inside an organization's objective market.  

Focus GROUPS USED:  

Center Groups are commonly used to accumulate individuals' assessments, thoughts, and convictions on a specific subject or item. The primary motivation behind center gathering examination is to draw upon respondents' mentalities, sentiments, convictions, encounters and responses in a manner where different techniques are not material.  

A case of a Focus group:  

In statistical surveying, a center gathering could be a delegate test of a populace. For instance, an ideological group might be keen on how youthful grown-up voters would respond to specific strategies.  

potentially sensitive topic:

A few creators having the capacity to cause physical, passionate are increasingly explicit in their meaning of delicate or mental pain to members or the examination, alluding to the subject or the theme under specialist.

Subject: social studies

Level: High School

Keywords: Focus group, Focus group technique, Focus GROUPS USED, A case of a Focus group, potentially sensitive topic.  

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