What type of data is primarily collected in qualitative research?

Qualitative research primarily focuses on exploring and understanding the meaning of experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena. Therefore, the collection of textual and narrative data is central to this methodology. This type of data is rich in descriptions and insights, providing depth and context that numeric data cannot capture.

Qualitative research employs various methods such as interviews, focus groups, observations, and open-ended survey questions, all of which collect detailed accounts that reflect participants' perspectives. This narrative data allows researchers to analyze themes, patterns, and nuances within human experiences, thereby gaining a comprehensive understanding of the studied phenomenon.

In contrast, numeric data, graphical data, and survey data typically refer to quantitative research, where the emphasis is on measurement and statistical analysis rather than on understanding the richness of participants' experiences in a qualitative context.