What distinguishes qualitative research from quantitative research?

Qualitative research is distinguished by its focus on understanding human behavior, experiences, and the meanings individuals ascribe to their interactions and environments. This approach often involves collecting non-numerical data, such as interviews, open-ended survey responses, and observations, allowing researchers to explore the depth and complexity of human experiences in a way that numbers alone cannot capture.

The emphasis is on gaining insight into the motivations, thoughts, feelings, and contexts of participants, rather than merely quantifying trends or behaviors. This richness of understanding is what sets qualitative research apart, making it particularly valuable in exploring new areas or gaining deeper insights into existing knowledge.

On the other hand, the other options refer to characteristics of quantitative research or misconstrue the nature of qualitative research, thereby reinforcing why option emphasizing the understanding of human behavior is the most accurate distinction.