Combine qualitative and quantitative data

Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data can improve an evaluation by ensuring that the limitations of one type of data are balanced by the strengths of another.

This will ensure that understanding is improved by integrating different ways of knowing. Most evaluations will collect both quantitative data (numbers) and qualitative data (text, images), however it is important to plan in advance how these will be combined.

Methods

When data are gathered

  • Parallel data gathering

    Qualitative and quantitative data are gathered at the same time.

    For example, a closed-ended questionnaire to many service users is done at the same time as semi-structured observations of the service center.

  • Sequential data gathering

    Sequencing is one way of combining qualitative and quantitative data by alternating between them.

When data are combined

  • Component design

    Component design is an approach to mixed methods evaluation that conducts qualitative components of the evaluation separately to quantitative components and then combines the data at the time of report writing.  

  • Integrated design

    Integrated Design is an approach to mixed options evaluation where qualitative and quantitative data are integrated into an overall design.  

Purpose of combining data

  • Enriching

    ‘Enriching’ is achieved by using qualitative work to identify issues or obtain information on variables not obtained by quantitative surveys. 

  • Examining

    ‘Examining’ refers to generating hypotheses from qualitative work to be tested through the quantitative approach.

  • Explaining

    ‘Explaining’ involves using qualitative work to understand unanticipated results from quantitative data.  

  • Triangulation

    Triangulation facilitates validation of data through cross verification from more than two sources.

Resources

Guides

Caracelli, Valerie J. and Greene, Jennifer C. (1997). "Crafting mixed-option evaluation design." In J. C. Greene and V. J. Caracelli (eds.), Advances in mixed-option evaluation: The challenges and benefits of integrating diverse paradigms. New Directions for Program Evaluation, No. 74. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, pp. 19-32.460

Carvalho, S. and H. White. (1997) ‘Combining the quantitative and qualitative approaches to poverty measurement and analysis’, Technical Paper 366. The World Bank: Washington D.C.466

Greene, J. (2007) Mixed Options in Social Inquiry.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.465

Greene, Jennifer C., Caracelli, Valerie J. and Graham, Wendy F. (1989). "Toward a conceptual framework for mixed-option evaluation design." Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 11(3), pp. 255-74.459

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