True or False: Qualitative research should be reported as percentages.

Qualitative research is fundamentally different from quantitative research, focusing on exploring and understanding the meanings and experiences behind certain phenomena rather than quantifying them. Since qualitative data consists primarily of non-numerical insights, such as interviews, open-ended survey responses, and observations, it is typically analyzed thematically rather than statistically.

Reporting qualitative research as percentages would misrepresent the richness and depth of the data. Quantifying qualitative findings can lead to oversimplification, obscuring nuances that are critical to understanding the context and implications of the findings. Instead, qualitative research is often presented through descriptive narratives, themes, and patterns that outline participants’ perspectives in detail.

Other options suggest scenarios where percentage representation might be applicable, but such practices are not standard in qualitative research methodologies. This solidifies the understanding that qualitative data should be conveyed in an interpretative format rather than a numerical one.