Gives an in-depth understanding of why people hold particular views, and how they make judgements, in a way that structured quantitative research cannot, but is not intended to be statistically reliable. Newer types of qualitative research attempt not just to understand but also to inform participants views by actively supplying them with information which allows them to reach a more considered view. Used to identify not only what people think but also, more importantly, the reasons why they hold such views. Whilst these techniques do not produce results which are statistically reliable (quantitative methods are needed for this), findings can - if participants are broadly representative - be strongly indicative of the population as a whole and have a valuable diagnostic value - more

qualified range (formula)

short for Qualifications Division.

quality or amount of data available for the assessment (see note 4)

Qualification/qualify