Home

Qualitatively

Qualitatively is an adverb derived from qualitative, used to describe analysis, assessment, or description that focuses on the qualities or characteristics of something rather than on numerical measurements. The term is often paired with qualitative as opposed to quantitative, which concerns quantities and amounts. The adjective it derives from, qualitative, relates to properties that define a thing’s nature, rather than its size or magnitude.

In research and evaluation, qualitatively signals that information has been gathered or interpreted in non-numeric form.

Qualitatively can also refer to assessments or judgments about features or attributes, described in terms of

Limitations of qualitative use include potential subjectivity and limited generalizability. To improve rigor, researchers apply strategies

Qualitative
methods
aim
to
understand
meaning,
experience,
and
context,
often
through
text,
imagery,
or
observed
behavior.
Common
approaches
include
interviews,
participant
observation,
ethnography,
and
content
or
discourse
analysis.
Outcomes
typically
include
rich
descriptions,
themes,
and
theoretical
insights
rather
than
generalizable
statistics.
their
qualities.
For
example,
a
product
might
be
evaluated
qualitatively
as
durable
and
aesthetically
pleasing,
without
a
numeric
score.
In
some
sciences,
qualitative
descriptions
are
used
alongside
quantitative
data
to
provide
a
fuller
picture
of
a
phenomenon.
such
as
reflexivity,
triangulation,
transparent
coding
procedures,
and
audit
trails.
The
term
remains
common
in
social
sciences,
market
research,
and
fields
where
understanding
meaning
and
context
is
essential.