Which of the following is an example of a qualitative research method?

Focus groups discussing product experiences are a prime example of a qualitative research method because they involve open-ended discussions that explore participants' feelings, opinions, and attitudes towards a product or service. This approach allows researchers to gain deeper insights into consumer behaviors and motivations, as it captures the richness of human experience through conversation and interaction.

Qualitative methods typically focus on understanding the underlying reasons and motivations behind people's choices or behaviors, rather than quantifying data into numerical forms. Focus groups are designed to encourage participants to share their thoughts in their own words, providing a narrative that can reveal complex patterns of behavior and thought that are often missed in quantitative research.

In contrast, the other options represent quantitative methods or approaches. Online surveys with numerical scales gather data that can be quantified and subjected to statistical analysis, while statistical analysis of market trends and sampling data from financial reports involve processing numerical data rather than exploring subjective experiences. These approaches prioritize measurement and statistical relationships over the depth of understanding that qualitative research seeks to achieve.