👉 Moderator research in the context of qualitative research, particularly in interviews or focus groups, involves examining how the presence and behavior of a moderator influence the data collected. A moderator can be an individual who guides the discussion, ensures relevance, or manages group dynamics, potentially shaping the responses of participants. Researchers analyze the moderator's role to understand how their actions affect the quality, consistency, and depth of the data, aiming to identify best practices for effective moderation to ensure more reliable and valid findings.