Use of Focus Groups and collaboration tools as a training needs assessment technique has the following disadvantages:
(A) Time consuming to organize
(B) Unuseful with complex or controversial issues that one person may be unable or unwilling to explore
(C) Questions cannot be modified to explore unanticipated issues
(D) Group members provide only information they think you want to hear
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

Focus Groups and collaboration tools are widely used in training needs assessment for their ability to gather qualitative data and promote discussion. However, these methods come with several limitations.

1. (A) Time consuming to organize:
   Organizing focus groups is a time-consuming process. It involves selecting participants, scheduling meetings, preparing materials, and ensuring proper facilitation. This can take up significant time and resources, which can be seen as a disadvantage when compared to more straightforward data collection methods like surveys. So, (A) is indeed a valid disadvantage.

2. (B) Unuseful with complex or controversial issues that one person may be unable or unwilling to explore:
   Focus groups can be effective for exploring complex issues, and they encourage group discussions that allow multiple perspectives to emerge. However, they may not be ideal for controversial or highly sensitive topics. While a group may not fully explore these issues due to individual discomfort, it’s not necessarily an inherent disadvantage of focus groups. Complex issues can be tackled in a well-moderated session, so (B) is not as strongly supported as a disadvantage in this context.

3. (C) Questions cannot be modified to explore unanticipated issues:
   This statement is incorrect. One of the strengths of focus groups is their flexibility. Facilitators can modify or ask follow-up questions based on the flow of the discussion or unanticipated issues that arise. Hence, (C) is not a disadvantage of focus groups.

4. (D) Group members provide only information they think you want to hear:
   (D) is a valid disadvantage because group dynamics can lead to social desirability bias, where participants may give answers that they think are expected or will be accepted by the facilitator, rather than providing honest feedback. This can affect the authenticity of the data gathered, making it a legitimate disadvantage.

Thus, the correct answer is (A), (D) only.

Information Booster:

Focus Groups:

Focus groups are a qualitative research method where a small group of individuals discusses a specific topic, often guided by a facilitator. This method is valuable for gathering diverse perspectives on a subject, especially in training needs assessments. By encouraging open conversation, it helps identify issues that participants might not have expressed in one-on-one interviews or surveys. However, focus groups have specific drawbacks.

• (A) Time consuming: Organizing a focus group involves recruiting participants, coordinating schedules, preparing discussion questions, and providing necessary materials. This process requires substantial planning and management to ensure its success, which can take considerable time.

• (D) Social Desirability Bias: During group discussions, individuals might filter their responses based on what they believe the facilitator or the group expects. This phenomenon, known as social desirability bias, means that participants may not share their genuine opinions or may provide more socially acceptable answers, leading to skewed data.