What is a potential limitation of qualitative research?

Qualitative research focuses on exploring and understanding human experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena through detailed, descriptive data rather than numerical analysis. One potential limitation of qualitative research is the difficulty in replicating results, which is highlighted in the correct answer. This limitation arises because qualitative studies often rely on unique contexts, small sample sizes, and specific methodologies that can lead to findings that are deeply contextual and difficult to reproduce in a different setting or with a different group.

The subjective nature of qualitative analysis also contributes to this replication challenge. The perspectives, interpretations, and experiences of both the participants and the researcher can significantly influence the outcomes of the study. This inherent variability makes it challenging to achieve the same results in subsequent studies, as different researchers may glean different insights from similar data.

In contrast, the other options present characteristics that do not align with qualitative research. For example, qualitative studies do not generally emphasize statistical validity, as their focus is more on understanding complexity rather than generalizability through statistics. Additionally, qualitative research typically does not rely on large sample sizes; rather, it often utilizes smaller, more focused samples to gain depth of understanding. Lastly, one of the strengths of qualitative research is its ability to obtain rich, detailed data that convey participants' lived experiences,