Final answer:
Regression analysis is a quantitative research method, not a qualitative one. It is used for determining relationships between variables and predicting outcomes, which differs from qualitative methods such as phenomenology, grounded theory, and case studies that focus on subjective, non-numeric data.
Step-by-step explanation:
All of the following are qualitative research orientations EXCEPT d. regression analysis. Qualitative research includes various methodologies used to gather non-numeric data and gain insights into social phenomena. Examples of qualitative research orientations are phenomenology, which focuses on people's subjective experiences and interpretations; grounded theory, which is an inductive approach aiming to develop theories based on real-world observations; and case studies, which provide an in-depth examination of a single 'case' such as an individual, a group, or an event. On the other hand, regression analysis is a quantitative research method used to determine the relationship between variables and to make predictions.
It's important to distinguish between qualitative and quantitative methods as they serve different research purposes and have distinct methodologies. For instance, a researcher conducting a case study might focus on a detailed analysis of a particular group or event, providing rich narrative data, while someone engaged in regression analysis would be dealing with numerical data, looking for patterns that can forecast outcomes. This clear distinction helps researchers to choose the appropriate methodology based on the nature of their research question.