Qualitative Research is characterized by which features?

Qualitative Research is characterized by which features?

• A. Subjective, inductive, not generalization, words, no hypothesis required
• B. Objective, deductive, generalization, numbers, requires hypothesis
• C. Randomized controlled trials
• D. Large-scale surveys with fixed-response items

Answer: (A)

Qualitative research focuses on exploring meaning and context through subjective interpretation, using in-depth, descriptive data. It relies on inductive reasoning, meaning patterns and theories emerge from the data rather than testing a pre-set hypothesis. Because the aim is rich understanding in specific settings, findings are not presented as statistical generalizations to a larger population; instead, researchers discuss how findings might transfer to similar contexts. The data are primarily words—interviews, observations, notes, and textual materials—analyzed through coding and thematic interpretation. Hypotheses are not required at the outset; questions and directions often evolve as the study proceeds. This differs from quantitative approaches that emphasize objectivity, deductive testing, generalization to a population, numerical data, and hypotheses tested through structured measurements. Methods like randomized controlled trials and large-scale fixed-response surveys are typical of those quantitative traditions.

Qualitative research focuses on exploring meaning and context through subjective interpretation, using in-depth, descriptive data. It relies on inductive reasoning, meaning patterns and theories emerge from the data rather than testing a pre-set hypothesis. Because the aim is rich understanding in specific settings, findings are not presented as statistical generalizations to a larger population; instead, researchers discuss how findings might transfer to similar contexts. The data are primarily words—interviews, observations, notes, and textual materials—analyzed through coding and thematic interpretation. Hypotheses are not required at the outset; questions and directions often evolve as the study proceeds.

This differs from quantitative approaches that emphasize objectivity, deductive testing, generalization to a population, numerical data, and hypotheses tested through structured measurements. Methods like randomized controlled trials and large-scale fixed-response surveys are typical of those quantitative traditions.