Wow. So much info in what you said. I’ll be responding in sections!!!
Wow.
But I have to say that focus groups are almost a pet peeve of mine. I don’t like them. If I was in one I’d be wiggling all the time.
So much depends on the charisma of the person running the group. Or, the lack of leadership. Or, how much pizza someone had the night before.
ARGH
I probably just don’t get them, but whenever they are trotted out on TV to take the temperature of an issue, I cringe.
Can you say manipulation? Lights! Camera! Action!
(Yes, once in a while a nugget rises to the surface.)
However, WHEN they are well composed and led properly, they can be valuable sources of data. They are at least a step up from simple raw statistical data, if done well. imho.
They can surface critical nuances that statistical data often fails to reveal. They can offer clues of fruitful channels of thought and/or action. They can suggest fruitful strategies with larger populations.
But, yeah, they can be crap, too.