QUALITATIVE EVALUATION

APPROACHES;
ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION
TECHNIQUES
Rima Sliman, Robin Bradley, Jason W. Dodge

Clemson University

YDP 8040
 Qualitative and Quantitative Inquiry Comparison
Qualitative:
Exploring subjective meaning of a problem by
individuals, answers “how, why” questions.
* Aim: description, meaning
* Data: words, pictures
* Subjective: individual’s interpretation
* Not clear what looking for
* Often occurs early in evaluation
* Design and findings emerge
* Theory comes last
* Data are thick and rich
* Researcher is “human instrument”
* Collect data WITH participants
Quantitative:
Test objective theories, relationships between
variables, answers “what” questions.
* Aim: classify features, statistical models
* Data: numbers, statistics
* Objective: precise measurement of variables
* Knows clearly what looking for
* Often occurs later in evaluation
* Designed before data collection
* Theory comes first
* Numeric data are efficient but lack details
* Researcher is separated from participants
* Collect data ON participants
 Steps for Qualitative Evaluation
Sampling, Data Collection, and
Data Analysis
Qualitative Evaluation
Sampling and Data Collection Data Analysis
• Sampling • Data Reduction
• Saturation • Data Display
• The qualitative procedure • Conclusion
• Collect and Record Drawing/Verification

Why Observation?
• Check for nonverbal cues
• Identify relationships
• Show researcher what members deem important
• Helps develop questions for interviews, surveys, etc.
 OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING
YOUTH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Take Home Point 1
• Effectiveness of day camping vs. resident camping
• Resident campers=19,699
• Day campers=11,916
• Resident campers are perceived to exercise more based on their daily step, however there is a
disparity between the two is because of the time differences:
• 13 hours for resident campers
• 7.5 hours for day campers
• The day campers working out more compared to resident campers based on average steps
per hour

Take Home Point 2

• Disparity in gender participation in physical activities
• Female campers were less active compared to males
• If males and females are to be involved in the camping activities, campers may need to focus on
possible changes
• Programming
• Social environments
• Facilities

Take Home Point 3

• Race is a significant influence in people’s participation
• Minorities are less likely to be engaged in physical activities compared to whites
• Minority groups can increase their participation if they are motivated
• Motivation means engaging with individuals they can identify with
 REFERENCES
• Bernard, H. Russell (1994). Research methods in anthropology: qualitative and
quantitative approaches (second edition).Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.
• Garst, B. A. (2021). YDP 8040: Assessment and Evaluation of Youth Programs. Week
#5: Qualitative Evaluation. pp: 7-12. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from:
https://clemson.instructure.com/courses/125183/files/9893745?wrap=1
• Hickerson, B. D., & Henderson, K. A. (2014). Opportunities for promoting youth
physical activity: An examination of youth summer camps. Journal of Physical
Activity and Health, 11(1), 199-205. doi:10.1123/jpah.2011-0263
• Kawulich, B. (2005). Participant observation as a data collection method. Forum:
Qualitative Social Research, 6(2). Retrieved from http://www.qualitative-
research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/466/996
• Schensul, Stephen L.; Schensul, Jean J. & LeCompte, Margaret D. (1999). Essential
ethnographic methods: observations, interviews, and questionnaires (Book 2 in
Ethnographer's Toolkit).Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.