A moderator invites pre-screened, qualified respondents who represent the target of interest to log on to conferencing software at a pre-arranged time and to take part in an online focus group.
'Whiteboard' exercises and the ability to mark up concepts or other visual stimuli simulate many of the characteristics of in-person groups.
[3] A system invites prescreened, qualified respondents to participate on a "first come, first served" basis, and to conduct a task or series of tasks such as interacting with a website or website prototype, reacting to an online ad or concept, viewing videos, commercials (whether for TV or online production), etc., while at their home or workplace.
The first recorded online focus group was led by Bruce Hall (President, Eureka!
Inventing) and Doug Brownstone (Rutgers University), both marketers at Novartis Consumer Health at the time based in Summit, New Jersey.
This service was first brought to market by www.userlytics.com,[citation needed] and initially focused on the website usability and user experience field.
6,256,663[5][6] is summarized as 'System and Method For Conducting Focus Groups Using Remotely Located Participants Over A Computer Network.'