Final answer:
Qualitative research is a study that explores subjective meanings by gathering non-numerical data, with methods like participant observation, to understand personal experiences or social phenomena.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of study that explores the subjective meanings of people's experiences is called qualitative research. This research strategy is particularly useful when researchers aim to gain a deeper understanding of social phenomena, personal experiences, or complex processes. It involves collecting non-numerical data to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. Participant observation is a common method within qualitative research, where researchers immerse themselves in the environment they are studying to gather a rich understanding of the topic at hand.
Participant observers might take on roles within the community they are studying to better understand the lived experiences of individuals. For instance, a researcher may work as a waitress or live among a homeless community to observe behaviors and social interactions in a natural setting. The aim is to capture the essence of participants' experiences from their perspective rather than through numerical measurement. By actively engaging with the observation environment, researchers can obtain a nuanced view of the participants' world, which can be especially valuable in studies utilizing the symbolic interactionist perspective.