Bulletin Boards

  • Bulletin boards or chat forums are conducted online but not within the traditional two-hour window of a focus group.
  • The study period can span one or more days, depending on the research goals. This allows participants more flexibility and time to think about their responses and it also permits delving into ongoing processes or product/brand relationships.
  • Bulletin boards can be as simple as a text-based interaction between moderators and participants, or they can include uploading videos or photos.
  • Most platforms allow great flexibility to the moderator in managing the conversation: discussions can be open to the whole group, or private between the moderator and an individual participant, if an issue needs to be explored in more depth without biasing other group members.
  • They also offer logistical advantages similar to those of online focus groups.

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