A skilled facilitator asks the questions. The information collected is usually about the informants' attitude to that concept or idea or product. The facilitator then keeps the conversation flowing. As you can imagine, the quality of information depends a lot on the facilitator's skills. The entire group session is most often recorded.
Video is common.
Audio can be used instead. Whether video or audio the transcript or tape of the session can be analysed in depth. An alternative focus group My intention in the rest of this session is to apply some of the ideas from earlier sessions. Focus groups will be used as a vehicle for doing this. If you do not know much about focus groups this session will introduce you to a form of focus group which is designed as action research.