What it means
Concerned with what something is like rather than how much of it there is. Qualitative research studies people's experiences through interviews and observation and reports themes, not statistics. A qualitative lab test gives a yes-or-no answer, such as a positive or negative pregnancy test. The opposite is quantitative, which measures with numbers.
Related terms
evidence-based practice
Care that combines the best research findings with clinical experience and the client's own wishes.