What is a key characteristic of qualitative research?

A key characteristic of qualitative research is its focus on understanding participant experiences. This approach prioritizes exploring and interpreting the meanings that individuals assign to their experiences, emphasizing the depth and richness of data rather than quantifying it. Qualitative research often involves methods such as interviews, focus groups, and observations, which allow for a more nuanced understanding of people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in specific contexts. The aim is to capture the complexity of human experience and the subjective perspectives of participants rather than merely measuring outcomes or generalizing findings across large populations. This focus distinguishes qualitative research from approaches that rely heavily on numerical data or statistical analysis.