What are the statistical limitations of qualitative research?
The results of qualitative research cannot be statistically projected across a target population. That’s because the methods used to recruit participants and explore issues in qualitative research tend to be quite different, by design, from the methods that a projectable quantitative study might involve. However, when decisions must be made that require quantification, qualitative research is often used in advance to help plan effective quantitative studies, or as a follow-up method to help interpret quantitative results or explore selected topics in greater depth.
