Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Qualitative methods will have the following properties:
A. They reduce the power differential between researcher and participants.
B. The data is yielded in the form of words, pictures, etc.
C. Different groups of participants are exposed to contrasting levels of independent variables.
D. The presence of some variables that affect behavior are systematically altered.
E. Reality is constructed through the process of communication.

Correct option is C

Qualitative research focuses on understanding human experiences, behaviors, and meanings rather than numerical data. The correct properties of qualitative methods are:

A. They reduce the power differential between researcher and participants
Qualitative research encourages collaboration between researchers and participants.
The researcher engages in active listening and interpretation, rather than controlling the study through strict experimental conditions.

B. The data is yielded in the form of words, pictures, etc.
Unlike quantitative methods, which rely on numerical data, qualitative research collects rich, descriptive data (e.g., interviews, case studies, ethnographic observations, and visual records).

E. Reality is constructed through the process of communication.
Qualitative research follows a constructivist approach, emphasizing that knowledge and meaning emerge through social interactions and discourse.

Thus, A, B, and E correctly describe qualitative research.

Information Booster:

Positivism Paradigm:
Focus: Objective reality, measurable facts, and universal laws.
Methods: Quantitative, experimental, surveys, statistical analysis.
Purpose: Predict and control behavior through empirical evidence.
Data: Numerical, generalizable, replicable.
Relevance in Psychology: Used in cognitive psychology, behavioral studies, and neuropsychology.

Post-Positivism Paradigm:
Focus: Recognizes limitations of absolute objectivity; acknowledges biases and context.
Methods: Mixed methods, triangulation, critical realism.
Purpose: Seek approximate truths, combining objectivity with subjective insights.
Data: Both numerical and qualitative, context-sensitive.
Relevance in Psychology: Bridges gaps in understanding complex human behavior, e.g., trauma, social influences.

Key Difference:
Positivism: Strict objectivity, quantitative focus.
Post-Positivism: Flexible, integrates subjectivity, mixed methods.
Qualitative Research: Embraces subjectivity, explores depth over breadth.