Which term is closely associated with qualitative research?

The term closely associated with qualitative research is ethnography. Ethnography is a research method that involves the in-depth study of people and cultures in their natural settings. It typically relies on observations, interviews, and participant feedback to gain a nuanced understanding of social behaviors, beliefs, and practices. Ethnographic studies emphasize exploring the meanings and contexts that inform human interactions, making it particularly suited to qualitative research, which seeks to understand the complexities of social phenomena rather than measure them numerically.

The other terms do not align with the qualitative research paradigm. Quantitative analysis consists of measuring and interpreting numerical data, typically involving statistical techniques that do not capture the depth of social experiences. Hypothesis testing is a hallmark of quantitative research, where specific predictions are tested through controlled methods, contrasting with the exploratory nature of qualitative approaches. Random sampling is often used in quantitative research to ensure that a sample represents a larger population statistically, which is less applicable in qualitative studies focused on depth over breadth.