Qualitative research is a type of social science research that focuses on collecting and analyzing non-numerical data. This means that instead of using mathematical calculations or statistical analysis, qualitative researchers use methods such as interviews, observations, and case studies to gather information about people's experiences, beliefs, and behaviors. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying reasons for actions or events, rather than simply describing what happened. Qualitative research can be used in many fields, including sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, and healthcare, among others. It is often used as a complementary method to quantitative research, which focuses on numerical data collection and analysis.