Define "qualitative research" in the context of AFIT studies.

Qualitative research is centered on exploring and understanding phenomena through in-depth interviews, observations, and analysis of non-numerical data. This approach emphasizes gathering insights from participants' perspectives, allowing researchers to capture the richness of human experience and social context. In the context of AFIT studies, qualitative research can illuminate complex issues such as organizational behavior, decision-making processes, and the impact of culture on military operations, thereby providing a more nuanced understanding that complements quantitative findings. Engaging with participants in a detailed manner enables researchers to explore motivations, beliefs, and emotions that quantitative methods may overlook, leading to a holistic comprehension of the subjects under study.

In contrast, options referring to numerical data analysis or purely quantitative measurements do not align with the objectives of qualitative research, which is about depth rather than breadth, and the emphasis on interviews and narrative analysis distinguishes it from more mathematical or statistical approaches.