What is considered to be the principal advantage of using qualitative methods as an approach to doing social research?
A) Qualitative methods give "voice" to research participants.
B) Qualitative methods are relatively inexpensive.
C) Qualitative methods allow for causality to be established.
D) Qualitative methods involve the collection of data from large samples.
E) Qualitative methods require the researcher to spend a lot of time getting to know the research participants in a study.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Qualitative methods give "voice" to research participants, allowing them to express their own experiences, perspectives, and beliefs in their own words. This can provide a more nuanced and in-depth understanding of a social phenomenon than quantitative methods, which typically rely on predefined categories and measures. Additionally, the focus on interpretation and context in qualitative research can help uncover complex social dynamics that would be difficult to capture through purely quantitative techniques.

What Is Considered to Be the Principal Advantage of Using