when you want a wide range of views/perspectives, possibly on a less-researched topic, and are interested in joint meaning-making
can work particularly well with sensitive topics, provided the group is constructed and moderated carefully
can also be useful as empowering tool for participants, by sharing experiences that might otherwise be isolating, in a context with less power on the moderator’s side
can use in combination with interviews -- for example, gaining a range of perspectives and then narrowing in on individual experiences, or cross-checking conclusions reached
Drawbacks of focus groups
can be difficult to coordinate
can be difficult to moderate
takes longer than typical interview
not well-suited to investigating individual experiences in depth
