Final answer:
Researchers studying small groups for their individual thoughts on social issues use qualitative methods to gain in-depth insight.
Step-by-step explanation:
When researchers study smaller groups of people to obtain their personal thoughts and individual reactions concerning social issues, they typically use a qualitative approach. Qualitative sociology aims to understand human behavior by engaging in activities like in-depth interviews, focus groups, and the analysis of content sources such as books, magazines, journals, and popular media. This method of research is more interested in the richness of the data and often results in descriptive or interpretive findings, reflecting participants' views and experiences within a community or group.