Which definition best describes qualitative data?

Qualitative data is characterized by its ability to provide in-depth understanding and insight into human behavior, experiences, and motivations. It does not focus on measurable quantities, but rather on the context and reasoning behind individuals' actions and thoughts. This type of data typically comes from interviews, open-ended surveys, and observations that allow individuals to express their feelings, perceptions, and motivations in their own words.

The selected answer, which explains why individuals behave a certain way, aligns perfectly with the nature of qualitative data. It highlights the significance of understanding the subjective experiences and social contexts that influence behavior, allowing for a more comprehensive view of the factors at play.

The other choices reflect aspects of quantitative data, which emphasizes measurement and numerical representation rather than exploration of motives or emotional reasoning. Quantitative data typically focuses on calculating statistics or frequencies, which does not capture the richness of human experiences that qualitative data aims to explore.