This document discusses qualitative research methods. It defines qualitative research as a systematic, subjective approach used to gain insights through life experiences and discover meanings. Qualitative research relies on inductive reasoning and is guided by philosophical perspectives like deductive logic, epistemology, and whether the approach is open-minded. Five common qualitative research approaches are described: phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, exploratory research, and historical research. Each has a philosophical orientation and makes a contribution to nursing science.