Which approach seeks to understand experiences from the perspective of individuals within a community?

The approach that seeks to understand experiences from the perspective of individuals within a community is ethnographic research. This method focuses on immersing the researcher within the community being studied to gain insights into the social practices, beliefs, and everyday life of its members. Ethnography emphasizes the subjective experiences of individuals, allowing the researcher to capture the meanings and interpretations that people attach to their daily activities, relationships, and environments.

This qualitative research method is characterized by techniques such as participant observation and in-depth interviews, which facilitate a deeper understanding of the cultural and social dynamics from the viewpoint of those being studied. By prioritizing the participants' perspectives, ethnographic research offers a rich, detailed narrative that quantitative methods may overlook.

In contrast, quantitative research typically relies on numerical data and statistical analysis, which focus on measuring variables and establishing general trends rather than understanding individual experiences. Statistical analysis and experimental research further prioritize objectivity and control over context and subjective interpretation, thus missing out on the nuanced understandings that ethnographic methods provide.