Under Qualitative research techniques, we have Direct Approach techniques (non-disguised),

where the purpose of the research is disclosed to the participants. This includes both group
interviews (Focus Groups) as well as In-Depth Interviews.

Focus Group is a group of people being selected to participate in a discussion to get insights on
the topic of the research. Whereas, in-depth interviews are conducted individually, i.e., each
participant is interviewed separately about their views on the subject of the study.

A focus group will be appropriate when the researcher is studying or trying to get
feedback/opinions from a group of people. The outcome of this study will then be used to draw
meaningful inferences about the concerned topic with relatively low interpretation bias. In
contrast, in-depth interviews will be more appropriate when the researcher is already clear about
the concept and variables to be included in the research but will have relatively high
interpretation bias as compared to the focus group. Focus group research is more open-ended
than in-depth interviews as the inferences drawn from the focus group can give a better direction
to the researcher. In some cases, the researcher can conduct a better in-depth interview using the
conclusions of the focus group research to provide better interviews.

Both Focus groups, as well as in-depth interviews, are effective techniques for research study
when applied to situations suitable for each one of them. In some cases, both methods are used to
get better results.