Bolsonarism After the Defeat: An Application of the Continuous Focus Groups Methodology

Abstract

This article presents and discusses qualitative research findings on Bolsonaro supporters' political perceptions following the 2022 presidential election, using the Online Trends Monitoring Panel (POMT). Developed by the Laboratory of Media and Public Sphere Studies (LEMEP/IESP-UERJ), this innovative method combines traditional focus group techniques with panel research features, operating asynchronously via WhatsApp. Participants were categorized into two groups based on their attitudes towards the anti-democratic events of January 8 ("committed" and "moderate" supporters), enabling internal and external comparisons using previously collected socioeconomic variables. The continuous data collection over six months allowed tracking changes and stability in participants' opinions regarding corruption, the economy, identity-related agendas, and institutional adherence. The POMT technique showed advantages over traditional synchronous focus groups, such as increased temporal flexibility, lower operational costs, and enhanced sample representativeness. Nevertheless, limitations in capturing non-verbal communication aspects were noted. Findings highlight consistent differences between groups concerning alignment with democratic values and the intensity of identification with Bolsonaro.