Which item would not typically be categorized as documents and artifacts data sources in qualitative research?

Which item would not typically be categorized as documents and artifacts data sources in qualitative research?

• A. Medical records
• B. Diaries
• C. Magnetic resonance imaging scans
• D. Photos and videos

Answer: (C)

In qualitative research, documents and artifacts refer to existing textual records and tangible items that researchers analyze for meaning—things like written medical records, personal diaries, or photos and videos that represent real-world materials. Magnetic resonance imaging scans don’t fit this category because they are biomedical images produced by a machine, not textual records or physical artifacts created by participants or institutions for reflection or record-keeping. They are a type of visual/imaging data and are typically analyzed through methods suited to images, rather than the document/artifact framework. So, MRI scans are the item that would not typically be categorized as documents and artifacts data sources.

In qualitative research, documents and artifacts refer to existing textual records and tangible items that researchers analyze for meaning—things like written medical records, personal diaries, or photos and videos that represent real-world materials. Magnetic resonance imaging scans don’t fit this category because they are biomedical images produced by a machine, not textual records or physical artifacts created by participants or institutions for reflection or record-keeping. They are a type of visual/imaging data and are typically analyzed through methods suited to images, rather than the document/artifact framework. So, MRI scans are the item that would not typically be categorized as documents and artifacts data sources.