Qualitative research methods are to understanding human behavior as A: numerical data is to measuring physical quantities. B: observational techniques are to collecting environmental data. C: surveys are to assessing public opinion. D: statistical analysis is to interpreting historical events.

Qualitative research methods focus on understanding human behavior by exploring people's thoughts, feelings, and experiences in depth. This is similar to how numerical data measures physical quantities, as both aim to provide insights into different aspects of our world. For example, if researchers want to know how people feel about a new product, they might conduct interviews or focus groups instead of just counting how many people bought it. By using qualitative methods, they can gather rich, detailed information that helps explain why people behave in certain ways. In this sense, qualitative research is about capturing the complexity of human experiences, much like numerical data captures measurable phenomena.