What is the key difference between qualitative and quantitative research?

The key difference between qualitative and quantitative research lies in their foundational approaches and objectives. Qualitative research focuses on understanding the depth and complexity of human experiences, social phenomena, and subjective meanings. It seeks to gain insights into people's beliefs, feelings, and motivations through methods such as interviews, focus groups, and observations. This approach emphasizes the richness of data gathered, allowing researchers to explore the context and interpretive nuances of participants' perspectives.

On the other hand, quantitative research emphasizes measurement and statistical analysis. It relies on numerical data that can be systematically analyzed to identify patterns, relationships, and trends across larger populations. This method often employs surveys, experiments, and statistical tools to test hypotheses and derive conclusions based on quantifiable evidence.

By highlighting understanding in qualitative research and statistics in quantitative research, the distinction accurately captures the essence and goals of each methodology, making it clear why this option stands out as the correct answer.