What is the primary purpose of qualitative interviews?

The primary purpose of qualitative interviews is to obtain in-depth insights into participants' experiences. This method allows researchers to explore the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of individuals in a detailed manner, providing a deeper understanding of complex social phenomena. Through open-ended questions and conversation, qualitative interviews facilitate a rich exploration of subjective experiences, allowing participants to express themselves freely and share nuanced perspectives that quantitative methods may not capture.

Qualitative interviews are typically less structured than surveys, enabling respondents to elaborate on their thoughts and provide context to their responses. The richness and depth of the data collected through this method often lead to meaningful themes and narratives that can illuminate issues in ways that other methods simply cannot. This approach is particularly useful in fields such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology, where understanding human experience is crucial.