Qualitative research is a methodological approach in Social Sciences that emphasizes understanding social phenomena through direct observation and interaction with participants. Historically, it has been used by anthropologists and sociologists, but gained recognition in other fields like psychology, education, and business administration in the last thirty years. Unlike quantitative research, which relies on statistical analysis and predefined hypotheses, qualitative research is exploratory and flexible, allowing for the emergence of research questions during the study. It values the perspectives of participants, aiming to understand phenomena from their viewpoint. Key characteristics include the use of naturalistic settings, descriptive data collection methods such as interviews and field observations, and an inductive approach to data analysis. The research process involves prolonged engagement with the subject, direct contact with participants, and the use of various data sources like interviews, documents, and photographs. Qualitative research is often used in exploratory studies, when the phenomenon is not well understood, or when the goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of a complex social situation. Despite its historical marginalization due to the dominance of quantitative methods, qualitative research has become an essential and viable approach in Social Sciences, offering valuable insights into human behavior and social structures.Qualitative research is a methodological approach in Social Sciences that emphasizes understanding social phenomena through direct observation and interaction with participants. Historically, it has been used by anthropologists and sociologists, but gained recognition in other fields like psychology, education, and business administration in the last thirty years. Unlike quantitative research, which relies on statistical analysis and predefined hypotheses, qualitative research is exploratory and flexible, allowing for the emergence of research questions during the study. It values the perspectives of participants, aiming to understand phenomena from their viewpoint. Key characteristics include the use of naturalistic settings, descriptive data collection methods such as interviews and field observations, and an inductive approach to data analysis. The research process involves prolonged engagement with the subject, direct contact with participants, and the use of various data sources like interviews, documents, and photographs. Qualitative research is often used in exploratory studies, when the phenomenon is not well understood, or when the goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of a complex social situation. Despite its historical marginalization due to the dominance of quantitative methods, qualitative research has become an essential and viable approach in Social Sciences, offering valuable insights into human behavior and social structures.