Qualitative methods are research techniques used to gather non-numerical data, focusing on understanding people's experiences, thoughts, and feelings. These methods often involve interviews, focus groups, and observations, allowing researchers to explore complex social phenomena in depth. By emphasizing context and meaning, qualitative research provides rich insights that quantitative methods may overlook. In qualitative research, data analysis typically involves identifying patterns and themes within the collected information. This approach is often used in fields like sociology, psychology, and anthropology to study behaviors, cultures, and social interactions. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of human experiences rather than to quantify them.