Qualitative descriptive research aims to comprehensively summarize specific events experienced by individuals or groups in everyday language. Some researchers argue that this design is a valid and acceptable category, while others mistakenly label it as phenomenology, grounded theory, or ethnography when it does not meet the criteria for those approaches. Qualitative descriptive research is distinct because it is less interpretive, less theoretical, and less encumbered by pre-existing philosophical or theoretical commitments. It draws from naturalistic inquiry, focusing on studying phenomena in their natural context without pre-selecting variables or manipulating them. Data collection involves interviews, observations, and records, while data analysis is data-derived, with codes generated from the data itself. Data presentation is a straightforward descriptive summary, organized logically. The outcome is a descriptive summary of the selected events, organized to present findings in the most relevant manner. Qualitative descriptive research is suitable when a straightforward description of a phenomenon is needed, and researchers can unashamedly name their design as qualitative descriptive. If their studies have overtones of other qualitative methods, those should be described rather than mislabeling the research approach. Vickie A. Lambert and Clinton E. Lambert are the editors of the Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research.Qualitative descriptive research aims to comprehensively summarize specific events experienced by individuals or groups in everyday language. Some researchers argue that this design is a valid and acceptable category, while others mistakenly label it as phenomenology, grounded theory, or ethnography when it does not meet the criteria for those approaches. Qualitative descriptive research is distinct because it is less interpretive, less theoretical, and less encumbered by pre-existing philosophical or theoretical commitments. It draws from naturalistic inquiry, focusing on studying phenomena in their natural context without pre-selecting variables or manipulating them. Data collection involves interviews, observations, and records, while data analysis is data-derived, with codes generated from the data itself. Data presentation is a straightforward descriptive summary, organized logically. The outcome is a descriptive summary of the selected events, organized to present findings in the most relevant manner. Qualitative descriptive research is suitable when a straightforward description of a phenomenon is needed, and researchers can unashamedly name their design as qualitative descriptive. If their studies have overtones of other qualitative methods, those should be described rather than mislabeling the research approach. Vickie A. Lambert and Clinton E. Lambert are the editors of the Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research.