Social Sciences: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods.

¶ … social sciences: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. However, there is another classification of research -- evaluation research -- frequently deployed in organizations. Evaluation research may make use of all of these different methodologies, even though it has a different goal than academic research. "The generic goal of most evaluations is to provide 'useful feedback' to a variety of audiences including sponsors, donors, client-groups, administrators, staff, and other relevant constituencies" (Trochim 2006).

In contrast to the use of the scientific method as in quantitative research, evaluation research is more intent upon offering practical data that can be used to maximize organizational resources and is specifically devoted to program evaluation. Some evaluation research does use standard qualitative methods in the tradition of the scientific method. However, an equally common approach is that of "management-oriented systems models. Two of the most common of these are PERT, the Program Evaluation and Review Technique, and CPM, the Critical Path Method" (Trochim 2006).

Other forms of evaluation research use anthropological models in the qualitative tradition, such as studying workers via participant interviews or observing interactions with clients. Mixed methods designs embrace both methodologies and combine them for a more holistic perspective, such as assessing quantitatively-gathered sales data along with customer satisfaction feedback gained from focus groups. Not-for-profits such as schools and programs (such as in the justice department and other government agencies) may also use evaluation research.

Formative assessments such as quizzes for teachers and short-term evaluation of data such as arrest records for police offers provide immediate feedback as to whether current programs are working. "Formative evaluations strengthen or improve the object being evaluated -- they help form it by examining the delivery of the program or technology, the quality of its implementation, and the assessment of the organizational context, personnel, procedures, inputs, and so on" (Trochim 2006).

Summative evaluations (such as standardized tests or final reports) are designed to pass judgment on whether a particular program, method, or approach is working or not. A common summative evaluation technique is a cost-benefit analysis, whereby it is analyzed if the costs or drawbacks of a particular initiative outweigh the benefits of implementing it.

By virtue of necessity, due to scarce financial resources, quantitative methods often seem to be preferred within my discipline -- it is essential to show that a program works for a wide range of individuals, not simply a small and potentially non-representative sample. However, qualitative research and mixed methods designs have their value in allowing more one-on-one feedback and sometimes statistics can lie if not grounded in participants' experiences.

Overall, "There is no inherent incompatibility between these broad strategies -- each of them brings something valuable to the evaluation table" (Trochim 2006). References Trochim, W. (2006). Evaluation research. Social Science Research.