Which statement best characterizes a key characteristic of qualitative research in PT education?

• A. It uses numerical data and statistics to summarize findings.
• B. It excludes personal experiences.
• C. It is conducted only in laboratory settings.
• D. It captures experiences and perceptions rather than numerical data.

Answer: (D)

Qualitative research in PT education focuses on how people experience, interpret, and give meaning to their learning and practice. It collects non-numeric data such as interview quotes, observations, and reflective writings to understand perceptions and contexts, rather than counting things or running statistics. This makes it distinct from quantitative approaches and suited to exploring the depth of experiences in real educational or clinical settings, not just in laboratories.