This essay critically evaluates the contribution of qualitative research to evidence-based practice in health and social care. It begins by defining qualitative research as exploratory and emphasizing its role in understanding healthcare practices, particularly within social and natural sciences. The paper explores associated paradigms, highlighting the importance of interpretivist paradigms and philosophical frameworks such as ontology, epistemology, and methodology. It then discusses the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, detailing various data collection methods like observation, interviews, and document analysis, and explains the rationale behind selecting specific data collection tools. The essay also covers the advantages and disadvantages of the qualitative approach, emphasizing its value in the early stages of a study and its focus on social meaning. Ultimately, the essay concludes that proper analysis of qualitative research paradigms and appropriate selection of data collection tools are essential for achieving effective results in health and social care research. The essay uses various references to support its arguments.