Which of the following best describes a focus group?

A focus group is designed to gather qualitative insights by engaging a small group of individuals who share certain characteristics relevant to the topic under discussion. By fostering open conversation and discussion, this method allows participants to express their opinions, experiences, and feelings about a product, service, or concept. This direct interaction helps businesses and researchers understand consumer attitudes and motivations, which can inform marketing strategies and product development.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of what a focus group entails. A random sample refers to a method of selecting participants for research that does not specifically involve interaction among the participants in discussions. A collection of products for sale describes inventory or merchandise rather than focusing on consumer insights. A statistical analysis of market trends deals with quantitative data, which is different from the qualitative, opinion-driven nature of focus groups.