Final answer:
Symbolic interactionist studies primarily utilize in-depth interviews and participant observation as key qualitative research methods to explore the subjective meanings and experiences of individuals. Qualitative methods offer a depth of understanding that suits the symbolic interactionism approach.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most important qualitative research procedures include focus groups, in-depth interviews, and participant observation. Studies adopting a symbolic interactionist perspective often employ qualitative methods like in-depth interviews or participant observation because they aim to delve into the symbolic worlds of the research subjects. For symbolic interactionists, understanding the subjective meanings and experiences of individuals is crucial, which these qualitative methods allow. Surveys may also be used to collect qualitative data when they include open-ended questions that help gather subjective responses, although these are not as common in symbolic interactionist research. The inherent flexibility and depth provided by qualitative methods such as thematic analysis, coding, and categorization offer rich insights that are emblematic of the interpretive nature of symbolic interactionism.