Qualitative Method - GCSE Psychology Definition

Reviewed by: Lucy Vinson

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Qualitative methods in psychology refers to research that collects non-numerical data to understand people's thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Instead of focusing on numbers and statistics, qualitative methods use tools such as interviews, open-ended surveys, and observations to gather detailed information. These methods help psychologists explore complex issues by gaining a deeper insight into how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. For GCSE Psychology, understanding qualitative methods is essential because they highlight the personal and subjective side of human behaviour, providing rich and descriptive data that can uncover trends and patterns often missed by purely quantitative approaches.

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Lucy Vinson

Reviewer: Lucy Vinson

Expertise: Psychology Content Creator

Lucy has been a part of Save My Exams since 2024 and is responsible for all things Psychology & Social Science in her role as Subject Lead. Prior to this, Lucy taught for 5 years, including Computing (KS3), Geography (KS3 & GCSE) and Psychology A Level as a Subject Lead for 4 years. She loves teaching research methods and psychopathology. Outside of the classroom, she has provided pastoral support for hundreds of boarding students over a four year period as a boarding house tutor.

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