Evaluation methods can be either quantitative or qualitative. Most training evaluation processes include a combination of both of these methods. This is because the combination generally provides the best overall assessment of the program.
Quantitative Methods – generates numerical data or data that can be transformed into usable statistics in order to analyze and interpret information.
Qualitative Methods – used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations.
Quantitative methods involve the use of numerical data to analyze and interpret information. The information obtained produces data that can be counted, categorized, measured, or ranked. This information can be evaluated using statistical analysis which offers the opportunity to dig deeper into the data and look for the meaning behind it.
Typically, rating scales or closed questions are used to generate quantitative data as these produce either numerical data or data that can be put into categories (e.g. “yes’ or “no” questions).
After collection, this data can then be evaluated using statistical analysis and easily placed into graphs and tables. The results from quantitative methods are easy to summarize, compare, and generalize.
Quantitative methods can answer such questions as;
Qualitative methods involve gathering information that is not in numerical form. It is descriptive data of events, people, situations, and observed behaviors. It is typically opinions, beliefs, and attitudes of individuals who attended a training program or those impacted by a program.
The questions and methods used to gather qualitative data tend to be open?ended and less structured, thus harder to measure than quantitative data. However, the data is helpful as it can provide contextual information to clarify potential issues by explaining the “why” and “how” behind the issues.
Qualitative data methods can answer such questions as;
