The group interview, or focused interview, was initially developed in the 1940's to meet certain problems growing out of communications research and propaganda analysis. Designed to determine the response of persons exposed to a situation previously analyzed by the investigator, it was discussed and exemplified as an applied social research technique. This early combination of research method and application has inhibited the use of the group interview in basic social science research to the present day. Whereas the group interview is widely used in market research, psychotherapy, social work, and adult education, it is seldom even briefly mentioned in basic social science textbooks. This study reconsiders the utility of the group interview for basic social science research. Interviews with parents concerning child care decision making provided an appropriate test since all parents interviewed had chosen a child care program for their children from a wider range of culturally acceptable alternatives. Factors such as complexity of the research problem, degree of common experience, degree of prior acquaintanceship, flexibility and pacing of the interviews, group size, number of interviews, and technical considerations are compared and contrasted with available guidelines for using the method as an applied research technique. (Author)