Correct Answer: C

Phenomenology is a qualitative research methodology that explores the lived experiences of individuals — how they perceive, interpret, and make meaning of their experiences.

Why other options are wrong:

• RCT: Used to test interventions — not suitable for exploring subjective experiences
• Descriptive correlational: Examines relationships between variables using quantitative data
• Cross-sectional survey: Collects data at one point in time, quantitative focus

Key qualitative designs and their purposes:

Design	Focus
Phenomenology	Lived experiences
Grounded Theory	Developing theory from data
Ethnography	Culture and social behaviors
Case Study	In-depth single unit analysis