Final answer:
Qualitative research includes identification, description, exploration, and explanation but not prediction and control. Symbolic interactionists likely use participant observation for their studies. Case studies provide detailed insights but have limitations in generalizing findings and controlling variables.
Step-by-step explanation:
Qualitative research covers several aspects of exploring phenomena, which include identification, description, exploration, and explanation. However, it typically does not extend to prediction and control, which are more related to quantitative research. Qualitative methods, such as case studies, participant observation, and ethnography, provide in-depth understanding through subjective evidence but cannot often control variables and predict outcomes, which is crucial in experimental design.
When addressing research techniques used by a symbolic interactionist, they are most likely to utilize participant observation where the researcher immerses themselves in the social setting to understand the intricate social interactions based on meanings and symbols. This kind of qualitative approach allows for a deeper exploration of social behaviors from an insider's perspective.
As for the limitation of case studies, they are known to provide rich, detailed insights but they face challenges such as the inability to generalize findings to a larger population and a lack of control, which makes the replication of results a difficult task. Case studies often depend on subjective evidence observed in a particular setting at a specific time. Therefore, the primary critique is the inability to broadly generalize the findings.