Laadullinen
Laadullinen is the Finnish adjective meaning qualitative. In research and analysis, it denotes approaches that focus on qualities, meanings, and interpretations rather than numerical measurements. Laadullinen tutkimus aims to understand phenomena in their context, exploring how people experience and interpret events, interactions, and social processes. It is typically contrasted with määrällinen, or quantitative, approaches that seek variables, measurements, and statistical generalizations.
Laadulliset data are commonly collected through interviews, open-ended questionnaires, participant observation, focus groups, and document or
Laadullinen tutkimus emphasizes context, complexity, and meaning. Researchers consider their own role and potential biases, applying
The term is widely used across the social sciences, education, health sciences, and humanities, particularly in