Final answer:
Qualitative research aims to understand the subjective meanings of experiences by observing and interacting with subjects in their natural environments, using methods like interviews and participant observation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main purpose of qualitative research is to observe the subjective meanings of phenomena in terms of the people experiencing it. Qualitative research methods, like participant observation and in-depth interviews, provide insights into the symbolic worlds that individuals inhabit. This approach to sociology is designed to capture the rich, descriptive details of participants' lived experiences, emotions, and interactions within their natural environments.
While quantitative research employs statistical methods to identify patterns, qualitative research is more interpretive and descriptive, focused on understanding how individuals construct meaning in their lives. By immersing themselves into the social settings of their subjects, researchers using a qualitative approach can reveal social patterns and insights that might otherwise remain hidden. Such studies are typically narrative in nature, eschewing numeric data in favor of a more nuanced, contextual understanding of the subject matter.