Final answer:
Online focus groups are generally faster to set up and execute than traditional focus groups due to ease of access and reduced logistical challenges, but they face difficulties relating to polling integrity and achieving a representative sample.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that online focus groups take less time to set up and complete than traditional focus groups. The nature of online focus groups allows for a prompt recruitment of participants through the internet or phone surveys, bypassing the logistics involved in traditional methods. In-person focus groups often require respondents to be physically present, which entails planning physical space, ensuring availability of participants, and potentially longer delays in terms of scheduling.
Among the advantages of online focus groups are the ease of access for respondents, which can reduce no-show rates, as well as the ability to engage participants from a wider geographic area without needing them to travel. However, the shift toward using online platforms for focus groups is not without challenges, as online polls need to account for multiple email accounts or social media profiles that could skew results, as well as the difficulty in achieving a truly representative sample.