Question

Discuss the difference between qualitative and quantitative evaluation - when would you use each? Consider a health education program aimed to increase fruit and vegetable intake among diabetes patients. What kinds of questions would qualitative evaluation help you answer? What kinds of questions would quantitative evaluation help you answer ?

Answer 1

Quantitative evaluation :

Quantitative evaluation is the evaluation which can be measured using scientific tools and measurements. Regardless of who performs this experimental evaluation the answer remains same and thus it is not subjective in nature.

Questions that can be asked to evaluate quantitative evaluation on diabetes health education regarding increase intake of fruits and vegetables:

• How does increase in fruits intake affect sugar levels in diabetics ?
• How does intake of vegetables affect blood sugar levels in diabetics?

Qualitative evaluation :

Unlike quantitative evaluation, qualitative evaluation is more subjective in nature. The result differs in each person . The same observation done in different people will have different interpretations which can be extremely different. It is done using the sense organs. Therefore, accuracy is difficult in qualitative evaluation unlike quantitative evaluation.

Questions that can be asked to evaluate qualitative evaluation on diabetes health education regarding increase intake of fruits and vegetables :

• How do you include fruits and vegetables in your diet being diabetic ?
• What did you understand from the concept of including fruits and vegetables in your diabetic friendly diet?
• Do you like to include fruits in your diabetic diet?
• Do you like to include vegetables in your diabetic diet?

Thank you.