What is a common drawback of relying solely on qualitative data?

Relying solely on qualitative data presents the challenge of quantification. Qualitative data typically consists of descriptive information that captures experiences, opinions, and insights but does not easily lend itself to measurement or statistical analysis. This lack of quantifiability can make it challenging to derive numerical conclusions or to generalize findings across larger populations. For example, while qualitative interviews may reveal in-depth perspectives on patient experiences, those insights cannot be easily transformed into numerical formats that facilitate broader analysis or compare across different groups. Consequently, while qualitative data provides rich detail, its limitation in providing quantifiable metrics can hinder decision-making and the ability to support findings with statistical evidence.