Which statement highlights a key difference between quantitative and qualitative research?

The chosen statement identifies a crucial distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, particularly concerning the formulation of hypotheses. In qualitative research, the focus is often on exploring phenomena, understanding experiences, and gaining insights into social processes. This approach tends to be more flexible and open-ended, which allows researchers to gather data that may not fit into predefined categories or hypotheses. Accordingly, hypotheses are generally not formulated prior to data collection; instead, they may develop as a result of the findings.

In contrast, quantitative research typically begins with a clear hypothesis derived from existing theories or literature, guiding the research design and allowing for statistical analysis of numerical data. This structured approach is essential for testing specific predictions and drawing conclusions based on quantifiable evidence. Thus, the lack of a predetermined hypothesis in qualitative research underscores its exploratory nature, distinguishing it from the hypothesis-driven framework of quantitative research.