What type of data does qualitative research primarily focus on?

Qualitative research primarily focuses on personal experiences, opinions, and interpretations. This type of research is concerned with understanding the subjective aspects of human behavior and social phenomena. It aims to gather deep insights into people's thoughts, feelings, and motivations by exploring their lived experiences.

Qualitative data typically come from interviews, focus groups, or open-ended survey responses, where participants can express their views in their own words. Unlike quantitative data, which relies on numerical values to draw conclusions, qualitative data captures the richness of human experience, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of a situation or context.

This approach is particularly useful in healthcare settings, where exploring patient experiences, satisfaction, or perceptions can provide valuable insights that inform practice and policy. Qualitative research helps illuminate the nuances of human behavior that quantitative methods might overlook, making it essential for understanding complex issues in health services management.