What would be an example of qualitative research?

Qualitative research is focused on understanding human behavior, experiences, and social phenomena through non-numerical data. It often involves exploring the underlying motivations, feelings, and perspectives of individuals. Conducting an interview that delves into personal dietary habits exemplifies qualitative research because it allows for an in-depth exploration of an individual's thoughts, beliefs, and experiences related to their food choices. This method yields rich, descriptive data that can lead to insights about how dietary habits are formed, maintained, or changed.

In contrast, the other options involve quantitative methods that seek to measure or quantify data. A survey of consumer preferences aims to gather numerical data about people's choices, while a clinical trial measures specific treatment outcomes in a controlled setting, focusing on statistics to assess effectiveness. Additionally, a statistical analysis of food safety incidents involves interpreting numerical data to identify patterns or trends, further aligning it with quantitative research methods.