What type of data collection method involves open-ended questions?

The focus groups method is characterized by the use of open-ended questions, which allows participants to express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions in their own words. This type of data collection fosters a dynamic conversation among participants, enabling richer and more nuanced insights that might not emerge from more structured approaches. Open-ended questions encourage discussion and promote deeper exploration of topics, making it an excellent choice for qualitative research aimed at understanding group perspectives or generating ideas.

In contrast, quantitative surveys typically utilize closed-ended questions to collect numerical data for statistical analysis, and structured interviews often follow a predetermined set of questions with limited scope. Case studies, while they can include open-ended questions, are more focused on in-depth investigation of specific instances rather than group dynamics or interactive discussions. Thus, focus groups stand out for their distinctive use of open-ended questions to facilitate comprehensive discussion and exploration of participant viewpoints.