What distinguishes qualitative research from quantitative research?

Qualitative research is characterized by its emphasis on understanding experiences, concepts, and the meanings that people ascribe to them. This approach seeks to explore and interpret the subjective perspectives of participants, often through methods such as interviews, focus groups, and observations. By delving deeply into individual experiences and societal contexts, qualitative research aims to provide rich, detailed insights into complex phenomena that are difficult to quantify.

In contrast, quantitative research is typically grounded in objective measurements and statistical analysis, focusing on numerical data to draw conclusions. As a result, it may not capture the nuanced experiences and meanings that qualitative research prioritizes. This is what makes option C the correct choice, as it accurately reflects the core nature of qualitative research in differentiating it from quantitative methods.