When collecting information about mental well-being, explain why collecting qualitative data rather than quantitative data may increase the validity of the data collected by the researcher.

Validity refers to the extent to which a research method measures what it intends to measure. Mental well-being is a complex and subjective concept. While a quantitative rating scale (like the one in the study) is quick and easy to analyse, it can be reductionist. It forces a complex experience into a single number, potentially losing important nuances. Qualitative data, such as asking a firefighter to describe their day in a diary, allows for a much deeper and more authentic representation of their experience. This richness and depth mean the data is likely to be a more accurate reflection of their true mental state, thereby increasing its validity.