Which of the following is a characteristic of qualitative research?

The correct answer emphasizes that qualitative data are subjective and in-depth, which is a fundamental characteristic of qualitative research. This type of research is primarily concerned with understanding human behavior, experiences, and interactions through detailed narratives, descriptions, and interpretations rather than statistical measures.

Qualitative research often involves methods such as interviews, focus groups, or observations, allowing researchers to capture the complexity and richness of participants' experiences. This approach allows for deeper insights into participants' perspectives, motivations, and feelings, which are often missed in quantitative research that focuses on numerical outcomes.

In contrast, statistical analysis of data pertains to quantitative research, which seeks to measure variables and analyze data in a numerical format. The focus on numerical results and collecting large datasets are also hallmarks of quantitative methods, which prioritize breadth and generalizability over the depth of understanding typically sought in qualitative approaches.