What type of research is a focus group considered to be?

A focus group is classified as qualitative research because it involves gathering insights and understanding the perspectives of individuals through discussions. This method emphasizes obtaining detailed and nuanced information about feelings, motivations, and behaviors rather than numerical data.

In qualitative research, the focus is on exploring the 'why' and 'how' behind people's actions and opinions, which is precisely what focus groups aim to achieve. By engaging participants in a guided conversation, researchers can uncover deeper insights into their thoughts and experiences related to a particular topic, product, or service.

In contrast, the other options represent different research approaches. Quantitative research deals with numerical data and statistical analysis to understand patterns and relationships, while statistical analysis specifically involves examining and interpreting numerical data to draw conclusions. Comparative research typically focuses on comparing different groups or conditions, but it may not necessarily employ the conversational and exploratory methods characteristic of qualitative research.