Primary research - Focus Group

I have chosen to observe my focus group and have Tasha Turner – Wray leading the group, as i will need time to record the information discussed during the session. I have asked her to read out a few key questions to the group before the session so they have a brief idea of what to expect.
The Key questions are;
• Do you think live music has been affected by illegal downloading.
• Do you think online music is over priced?
• Do you even see downloading illegally as a crime?
• How often do you download?
• How easy is it to illegally download?
As I am using my class mates to run this focus group, I do not have a range of demographics to give me different responses, however the psychographics in the group do vary.
I think my focus group ran really well, everyone was fully engaged with the subject and gave information that I found relative and informative. I found that there were a lot of comments which I was surprised to hear, for example one participant said that they do illegally download regularly; however they would be happy to pay up to £40 to see an artist live in concert. Many of the participants have noticed that the live music scene is on the up. Many of the participant also said that everyone they knew illegally downloaded “79p is cheap for a single track, however when you can get it for free just as easily it feels like a bit of a waste of money” (Aisha Thomas -  student).
All of the participants that took part in the focus group all said that they own an iPod or mp3 player, they also all agreed that the mass use of mp3 playes linked to rise in illegal downloading. "It is so easy to pick a song you want, download it and put it on your iPod, it cann all be done in a couple of seconds" (Rubi Sulivan - student)
More than once the observation was made that although illegally downloading is stealing, it does not feel this was as it is so easily accessible through programmes such as limewire and pirate bay. It was also said by more than one person that young people do not have a lot of money, so they found the option of illegally downloading music ‘easier than spending £9.99 on a cd’. Many people commented that they found music overpriced.
The subject of iPods was brought up during the discussion as being partly responsible for this trend in illegally downloading music as most online music is found in mp3 form thus making it very simple to download.
One participant commented on smart phones making it much more difficult to share music with your friends when out and about. Previously anyone with a Bluetooth connection could share files quickly and easily, however most modern smart phones do not allow file sharing unless you have the exact same make and model phone.
Overall I have gained a lot of constructive and valuable information from this focus group, which has enabled me to further my research .