I hold a differing opinion from the article Focus Groups are Worthless. As McKelvey's assertion that blaming the tool and not the carpenter was ill-advised, I maintain that focus groups remain valuable in numerous situations, contrary to Hall's perspective. The effectiveness of focus groups, in my opinion, hinges on the strategic utilization of it. For example, in addressing the frequently criticized Group Effect, one can foster diversity of opinion and mitigate the dominance of certain voices by selecting an impartial and skilled moderator.

Another approach involves implementing background checks to assemble a well-balanced group, encompassing individuals in various roles such as leaders and experts. Similarly, to counteract the Audience Effect, steps can be taken to minimize the impact of external factors, observers, and facilitators on the panelists. This could entail enhancing the external environment to foster a more relaxed atmosphere for discussions, implementing procedural adjustments to minimize the impact of the moderator, etc. In essence, while acknowledging the inherent challenges, I believe that focus groups are not inherently flawed but rather in need of refinement and improvement in their application.