What does a qualitative research approach primarily focus on?

A qualitative research approach primarily focuses on understanding personal experiences. This method aims to gain insights into people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through various means such as interviews, focus groups, or observations. It emphasizes the subjective interpretation of participants' experiences, allowing researchers to explore complex phenomena in depth. By prioritizing context and individual perspectives, qualitative research captures the richness of human experience, which is often lost in quantitative methods that focus solely on numerical data.

Qualitative research is particularly valuable in nursing and health sciences, where understanding patients’ experiences, beliefs, and attitudes can significantly enhance care and improve outcomes. This approach allows for the exploration of nuances and meanings that are relevant to individuals’ health and wellness, contributing to a more holistic understanding of patient needs and experiences.