What type of study might be used to explore phenomena through interviews and observations?

The type of study that would be utilized to explore phenomena through interviews and observations is a qualitative study. Qualitative research focuses on understanding human experience, behavior, and social phenomena by gathering in-depth insights that are typically expressed in words rather than numeric data. It emphasizes the subjective interpretation of participants' thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

In this approach, researchers may conduct interviews, focus groups, or naturalistic observations to collect rich, descriptive data, allowing for a deeper understanding of the context and meaning behind the phenomena being studied. This contrasts with quantitative studies, which rely on measurable data and statistical analysis to identify patterns and relationships among variables. Controlled trials and case-control studies are both types of quantitative research designed to assess interventions or associations between risk factors and outcomes, rather than exploring subjective experiences or phenomena through direct engagement with participants.

Therefore, qualitative studies are particularly valuable in fields like psychology, sociology, and health sciences when researchers aim to gather comprehensive insights into complex issues.