What is a significant limitation of quantitative methods?

Quantitative methods primarily focus on numerical data and statistical analysis to identify patterns and test hypotheses. While these methods are powerful for establishing general trends and correlations within large datasets, they often lack the ability to capture the depth and nuance of human behavior and experiences. This limitation can result in missing valuable context that qualitative data could provide, such as the motivations, emotions, and experiences behind the numbers.

For instance, a survey that quantifies customer satisfaction may reveal overall trend data, but it might overlook the underlying reasons why customers feel a certain way unless followed up with qualitative interviews. This context can be critical in understanding subtle dynamics, making sense of complex social phenomena, or interpreting the implications of the quantitative results effectively. Thus, the inability to explore deeper meanings and contexts is a notable limitation of quantitative methods.