When
most people talk about qualitative marketing research,
they are usually talking about focus groups.
Focus groups
are a loosely structured means of obtaining opinions related
to a specific topic. Groups usually consist of eight to
ten people recruited and brought together based on pre-specified
qualifications. Results of a focus group study provide
a general direction or test of the market, not a statistical
evaluation.
The most common uses are testing advertising copy or marketing
promotions, positioning products or services, testing
new concepts or testing usability of a product.
Getting feedback in advance from people representative
of those targeted in your research will establish clearer
explanations of your concepts.