Assessment Methods
Quantitative Methods
Quantitative methods are those tht establish specific questions and gather information to support or reject a specific hypothesis or theory. Quanitative methods produce information in the form of numbers then are compared using statistics. One of the most meaningful advantages of the use of quantitative, number-based methods is that the results of this kind of study, on a limited number of indiviuals, can then be used to draw conclusions about a much larger population.
Surveys [pdf]
Qualitative Methods
Qualitative methods aim to study people in their natural social settings. Qualitative research involves field observations and talking to the target population to get information in a less structured way than the methods dictated by quantitative research. The advantage of these qualitative methods is that they can help in gaining more in-depth knowledge than can quantitative research. Qualitative tools like focus groups, individual interviews, and observations, are best used for exploring new topics, when little information is known about the target population, and in situations where word-based, interview type data is preferred over numerical information.
Focus Groups & Individual Interviews [pdf]
Observations [pdf]
Visual Techniques
Although asking questions is one way to find out what you want to know, there are other methods that can be very powerful in eliciting information from people individually or in group settings. Participatory Learning and Action is a community-centered assessment approach that uses what are called "visualizations" as one of its main techniques. Visualizations are a good way of gathering information and facilitating problem-solving that can be very valuable in developing and improving programs.
Visual Techniques [pdf]
Special Assessment Approaches
The following assessment approaches or strategies incorporate some or all of the above mentioned assessment methods. Deciding which approach to use for your assesment efforts depends on what you are trying to accopmplish. For example, if you wnat a process that's more structured, the community identification process spells out step-by-step what to do to assess a community. If you want to know more about doing a quick assessment, the procedures in the rapid assessment procedures approach may provide the framework you need for a quick assessment. And if one of your main concerns is increasing collaboration and participation, paticipatory learning and action emphasizes this facet of assessment. Each of the approaches have been thoroughly researched and evaluated.
Community Identification (CID) [pdf]
Rapid Assessment (RAP) [pdf]
Paticipatory Learning and Action (PLA) [pdf]
Community Based Assessment:
A Guide for HIV Prevention Workers
Written by
Kim Batchelor, MPH, Elizabeth Rossman Beel, and Anne Freeman, MSPH
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Community-Based Assessment: A Guide for HIV Prevention Workers [pdf]
