In qualitative research, how do focus groups, participant observation, and case studies differ in their approach to data collection and analysis?

In qualitative research, focus groups, participant observation, and case studies each have unique ways of gathering and analyzing information. Focus groups involve bringing together a small group of people to discuss a specific topic, allowing researchers to capture diverse opinions and interactions among participants. Participant observation means the researcher immerses themselves in a community or context to observe behaviors and interactions firsthand, which helps them understand the social dynamics at play. Case studies focus on an in-depth exploration of a single individual, group, or event, providing detailed insights and context that can reveal complex phenomena. For example, if a researcher wants to study how students feel about school lunches, they might use a focus group to gather various opinions, observe lunch behaviors in the cafeteria, and conduct a case study on one school's lunch program to get a comprehensive view.