How do qualitative research methods mainly gather data?

Qualitative research methods primarily focus on understanding human experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena. They gather data in ways that emphasize depth over breadth, aiming to capture the nuances of a subject's experience. One of the most effective techniques in qualitative research is conducting interviews, which allows researchers to obtain rich, detailed responses and insights from participants. Observations are another powerful method, enabling researchers to see behaviors and contexts firsthand. These methods foster a deeper understanding of subjects' perspectives, motivations, and emotional contexts that numerical data alone cannot provide.

In contrast, options involving statistical analysis or numerical data are characteristics of quantitative research, which seeks to quantify relationships and draw conclusions from statistical results. Distributing surveys online could incorporate both qualitative and quantitative components, but it typically leans more towards quantitative analysis when structured with closed-ended questions. Thus, the essence of qualitative research lies in gathering data through direct engagement, making interviews and observations the cornerstone methods for this approach.