Although there are many advantages to using quantitative measures, employing qualitative strategies to understand complex problems could considerably influence the trajectory of behavior analysis. Behavior analysts often limit their use of qualitative strategies to inquiring about consumers’ experiences with an intervention or service (Burney et al., 2023). Although this approach can enhance social validity, using qualitative methodologies in the development and ongoing refinement of assessment tools and interventions may broaden behavior analysts’ impact. First, this article discusses how qualitative research has enhanced our understanding of the complexities of child welfare and how the authors, who are behavior analysts, were initially introduced to qualitative methodology. Next, an example from the authors’ work in child welfare is presented that illustrates how qualitative methods helped improve assessment and intervention strategies for youth who run away from foster care placements. Then, the article will describe how qualitative methodology can be used in conjunction with quantitative methods to understand human trafficking and how to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies. Finally, we will discuss how behavior analysts can continue using qualitative methodology in research and clinical practice to improve child welfare services and prevent human trafficking.
