Term: Qualitative Research

an approach to inquiry that seeks to understand experiences, perceptions, meanings, and processes rather than focusing on numbers or measurable facts. It produces in-depth, rich, and nuanced data that reveal how and why something occurs. Because the information is non-numerical, it can be more complex to analyze and interpret than quantitative data. Common methods include in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observation, with data typically analyzed for emerging themes or patterns rather than statistical trends.