What are the limitations of employing online focus groups?

1.Easy access to conference sites can be set up

2.E-mail interviews with people in different time zones will be extremely participatory

3.Drop-out may affect the data quality

4.The approach is confined to people who are willing to participate

5.External influences on participants can be present

A1, 2 & 3 only

B2, 3 & 4 only

C1, 2 & 4 only

D3, 4 & 5 only ✓ Correct

Correct answer: (D) 3, 4 & 5 only

Explanation

The limitations of online focus groups are drop-out, confinement to willing participants, and external influences.

Drop-out during sessions harms the completeness and quality of the data.

Only those willing and able to join take part, narrowing representativeness.

External influences on home-based participants cannot be controlled.

Easy conference access and highly participatory e-mail interviews are advantages, not limitations.

Online focus groups also lose the non-verbal cues of face-to-face groups.

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