A researcher conducts a qualitative study and learns that individuals have a variety of reactions to an event.What can the researcher conclude from this finding?
A) The findings are interesting,but are not useful for theory development.
B) The reactions described in this study may be generalized to a larger population.
C) The study has little significance since there is no well-defined single outcome.
D) The variety of reactions is expected since perception varies with individuals.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Because meaning is subjective,there can be multiple realities in qualitative research,which seeks to learn how individuals and groups respond to experiences.Findings in qualitative studies are often used to guide initial theory development whose constructs are later tested through experimental studies.Reactions in qualitative studies do not have statistical significance and cannot be generalized to a larger population.Even without a well-defined outcome,the results do have significance and contribute to the larger body of scientific knowledge.

A Researcher Conducts a Qualitative Study and Learns That Individuals