Kvalitatiivne

Kvalitatiivne is the Estonian term for qualitative. It describes things related to quality or describing phenomena in terms of qualities rather than quantities. In academic contexts, kvalitatiivne refers to methods, data, or findings that capture attributes, meanings, experiences, and contexts. It contrasts with kvantitatiivne, which denotes numerical measurement and statistical analysis.

In research, kvalitatiivne metoodika focuses on understanding how people experience, interpret, and give meaning to their social world. Data are typically textual or visual and may include interviews, open-ended surveys, participant observation, field notes, and document or content analysis. The aim is often to develop deep, contextual insights and generate theories or hypotheses rather than to test them with large samples.

Analyses of kvalitatiivne data use methods such as coding, thematic analysis, discourse analysis, or narrative analysis. Findings are usually presented as themes, rich descriptions, and illustrative quotes rather than statistics. The emphasis is on context, complexity, and meaning, rather than broad generalizability.

Limitations of kvalitatiivne approaches include potential subjectivity and limited generalizability. Trustworthiness and reflexivity are commonly addressed through practices like triangulation, transparent audit trails, thick description, and clear documentation of the research process.

Kvalitatiivne is used across disciplines, including social sciences, education, linguistics, anthropology, and health research, often complementing kvantitatiivne approaches to provide a fuller understanding of phenomena.