Qualitative research methods are those sociological methods that primarily focus on gathering in-depth, detailed, and rich data, often in non-numerical form, with the primary aim of gaining a better understanding of the social phenomena being studied from the perspectives of the individuals or groups involved. These methods often involve exploring the 'why' and 'how' of social issues rather than just the 'what' or 'how many' that quantitative methods typically address. Common qualitative research methods include in-depth interviews, focus groups, participant observation, ethnography, and the analysis of textual or visual data. The goal of qualitative research is to provide a holistic and contextual understanding of social phenomena, uncovering meanings, patterns, and experiences in a detailed and nuanced way.