Which statement does NOT describe Qualitative Research?

Which statement does NOT describe Qualitative Research?

• A. Numbers are the primary data
• B. Subjective and inductive
• C. Uses words to describe phenomena
• D. No hypothesis required

Answer: (A)

Qualitative research centers on exploring meaning through descriptive, non-numeric data such as interview transcripts, observations, and narratives. It relies on subjective interpretation and an inductive approach, building theories from the data rather than testing predefined numbers. It uses language to describe phenomena and often proceeds without a formal hypothesis, focusing on open-ended questions and emergent themes. The statement that numbers are the primary data conflicts with this approach, since numeric data and quantitative analysis are the hallmark of quantitative research. Therefore, that statement does not describe qualitative research.

Qualitative research centers on exploring meaning through descriptive, non-numeric data such as interview transcripts, observations, and narratives. It relies on subjective interpretation and an inductive approach, building theories from the data rather than testing predefined numbers. It uses language to describe phenomena and often proceeds without a formal hypothesis, focusing on open-ended questions and emergent themes. The statement that numbers are the primary data conflicts with this approach, since numeric data and quantitative analysis are the hallmark of quantitative research. Therefore, that statement does not describe qualitative research.