Qualitative research is essential for understanding the lived realities behind social and economic trends. Through methods like interviews, observations, and ethnographic fieldwork, it provides critical context and nuance that numbers alone cannot capture. Rather than just describing what is happening, qualitative research helps uncover how and why it’s happening—revealing the daily struggles, tradeoffs, and systemic barriers these families face. This depth of understanding is indispensable for policymakers and researchers seeking to understand what drives social phenomena, not just measure its extent.

Combining qualitative and quantitative methods leads to a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of complex social issues. Quantitative surveys can show what changed—such as whether cash transfers affected work hours—but qualitative interviews reveal why. In our recent work, for example, surveys might show that a recipient became unemployed after receiving assistance, potentially reinforcing harmful stereotypes. But interviews tell a different story: the cash might have allowed the recipient to leave a toxic job, pursue education, or start a business, reflecting economic mobility, not dependency. This methodological triangulation helps researchers validate findings, minimizes bias, and develop more accurate explanations for observed patterns, ultimately leading to more effective and nuanced policy solutions. 

Despite its rigorous methods and strong scientific foundations, qualitative research is often undervalued. Grounded in established theoretical frameworks, it employs systematic approaches to data collection and analysis–from carefully designed interview protocols to rigorous coding procedures. These methods represent some of the oldest and most foundational forms of inquiry in the behavioral and social sciences.

Qualitative research captures the complexity of human experience in ways that deepen our understanding of social life. While quantitative methods identify patterns and correlations, qualitative research uncovers the motivations, mechanisms, and context behind them. This depth is especially critical for designing policies that address root causes, not just symptoms. It also reveals insights that might otherwise be missed, challenging assumptions and showing how surface-level interpretations can fall short. By providing rich, nuanced accounts of how people navigate everyday life, qualitative research builds empathy and cross-group understanding, making it essential for addressing today’s complex social challenges.

Without qualitative research we risk designing ineffective solutions that fail to address the complex challenges people navigate in their daily lives.