A qualitative research question:

A qualitative research question: (a) Asks about a process or phenomenon

(b) Is generally open-ended

(c) both a and b are correct

(d) None

✅ Correct option: (c) both a and b are correct

Explanation (200+ words):

Qualitative research questions are designed to explore processes, experiences, meanings, or phenomena rather than to test hypotheses numerically. Such questions are open-ended, allowing participants to express their views in their own words. For example, instead of asking “How many students are motivated?”, a qualitative question asks “How do students experience motivation in learning?”. This allows rich, detailed data collection. Option (a) is correct because qualitative research explores processes and phenomena. Option (b) is also correct because qualitative questions are open-ended. Therefore, the correct answer is option (c).

10 Related PPSC Facts:

Qualitative questions are exploratory Focus on meanings and experiences Open-ended in nature Used in interviews and observations No numerical measurement Flexible research design Context-specific findings Common in social sciences Focus on “how” and “why” Emphasize depth over breadth