# Virtually Connected in a Multiverse of Madness?--Perceptions of Gaming, Animation, and Metaverse
## 2 Background
### Qualitative Research
Online focus groups have advantages, such as logistical issues, because the difficulty of having all participants at the same place and time is reduced by technology [52; 53]. Recording and transcriptions were also facilitated by built-in online interfaces, which can be downloaded almost immediately [49; 50], and automatic recording allows the possibility of preclassifying the collected information [40]. Sensitive issues and the anonymity of virtual groups can create a high sense of psychological safety for sensitive or embarrassing topics [51]. Regarding the limitation of interaction biases, online interaction can control some tendencies and prevent participant conflicts or competitiveness [40]. Regarding adaptability for specific targets, online focus groups can be appropriate for particular types of participants, such as teens, low-incidence groups, professionals, policymakers, and disabled individuals [49]. As for the disadvantages, we can point to the digital gap, choosing participants with some familiarity concerning technology implied in an online focus group. The artificiality of the interaction situation is that participants may feel concerns about sharing personal information with strangers in an electronic context [50]. And the lack of nonverbal communication may reduce the nonverbal communication that plays a crucial role in eliciting responses [49]. Nevertheless, the online focus group may lead to more disclosure than real-world groups. Data are easier to document, and the loss of contributions due to audibility problems during the transcript can be reduced [48]. Online focus groups make data analysis relatively easy through coding and categorization [48]. Regarding the sample size of the focus group, we already know that this method is considered a qualitative technique that collects data very efficiently [54]. But when do we know it is enough? We can make out a little in qualitative research because we do not try to generalize a population but instead identify social processes [55]. It is also essential to consider the saturation point concept, considering the point at which gathering new data does not provide any new theoretical insights into the studied phenomenon [56; 57]. So, it does not matter how little data we have collected, we have to consider the generalizations that can be made from just one single case. We should focus on our interactive units (such as social relationships, encounters, and organizations) because these units allow a direct and deeper analysis of the characteristic observed [58]. The saturation concept is important in previous studies regarding focus group samples. In a study whose objective was to assess the saturation and guidance on focus group research, it was found that one focus group generated 64% of the theme/concepts and that three focus groups generated 84%, concluding that three focus groups are enough to identify the most prevalent concepts [59]. In another study relating to influence saturation, the authors concluded through their research that only a few groups are required to capture the breadth of the main issues [60]. For this reason, we decided that three focus groups were enough to collect the main concepts for our explorative study.