What is one potential limitation of qualitative data in evaluations?

What is one potential limitation of qualitative data in evaluations?

• A. Subjectivity can affect the analysis
• B. It is less time-consuming to gather
• C. It provides easy statistical comparisons
• D. It only focuses on numerical outcomes

Answer: (A)

One potential limitation of qualitative data in evaluations is that subjectivity can affect the analysis. Qualitative data often relies on personal perspectives, opinions, and experiences, which can vary significantly between individuals. This subjectivity introduces the potential for bias in the interpretation of the data, as different evaluators might draw different conclusions from the same set of qualitative information. This variability can make it challenging to reach a consensus on findings, as the meaning derived from qualitative data is heavily influenced by the context and the evaluator's interpretations. Therefore, this aspect of qualitative data can limit its reliability and generalizability compared to more objective, quantitative methods.

One potential limitation of qualitative data in evaluations is that subjectivity can affect the analysis. Qualitative data often relies on personal perspectives, opinions, and experiences, which can vary significantly between individuals. This subjectivity introduces the potential for bias in the interpretation of the data, as different evaluators might draw different conclusions from the same set of qualitative information. This variability can make it challenging to reach a consensus on findings, as the meaning derived from qualitative data is heavily influenced by the context and the evaluator's interpretations. Therefore, this aspect of qualitative data can limit its reliability and generalizability compared to more objective, quantitative methods.