Final answer:
A practical problem with asynchronous focus groups is that moderators cannot always be available, which can slow down the momentum of discussions and affect interaction quality. Additionally, participants' access to the required conferencing software can pose challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
One practical problem associated with asynchronous focus groups is that moderators cannot be available online 24 hours a day. This limitation can affect the management of the discussion and timely responses to participant contributions. Asynchronous discussions often rely on participants to engage during different times, and the absence of a constant moderation presence might lead to slower conversation momentum or missed opportunities for probing questions. This discrepancy in moderation availability could potentially impact the richness and depth of the data collected.
Other concerns such as access to the required conferencing software might also pose an issue. Participants need compatible technology and stable internet connections to contribute effectively to online focus groups. Furthermore, ensuring that participants do not provide repetitive or socially desirable answers, as seen in the mini-case study, is crucial for obtaining genuine, varied, and useful feedback.