Identify the qualitative research characteristics from the following: (A)…

Correct answer: (A), (B) and (E) only.

The question tests the distinction between the defining characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research (Creswell's framework).

Qualitative research characteristics:

(A) Exploring a problem and developing a detailed understanding of a central phenomenon — qualitative research is exploratory and seeks an in-depth, holistic understanding.

(B) Having the literature review play a minor role but justifying the problem — in qualitative studies the literature review is used mainly to justify the problem, not to frame specific hypotheses.

(E) Collecting data based on words from a small number of individuals — qualitative data are textual/verbal and drawn from a small, purposeful sample.

Quantitative research characteristics (therefore NOT qualitative):

(C) Describing a research problem through a description of trends — describing trends and relationships among variables is a quantitative purpose.

(D) Collecting numeric data from a large number of people using instruments with preset questions — numeric data, large samples and standardized (closed-ended) instruments are hallmarks of quantitative research.

Hence the qualitative characteristics are (A), (B) and (E), making 'option (A), (B) and (E) only' the correct choice.