Question

Select a population and describe how you could use both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess key health indicators.

Answer 1

• I would like to consider Indian population 13-17 years adolescents.
• The variables would be PTSD, depression, anxiety based on urban and rural residency.
• It is important to note that quantitative research has dominated health and social science research , however, qualitative research has become an integral part of evaluation, especially in relation to process evaluation such as, satisfaction, well being etc.Quantitative indicators are preferred as they do not need feelings or judgment to quantify them.Qualitative Indicators do not show numeric measures as such Rather, they depict the status of something in more of qualitative terms.
• For assessing health indicators Quantitive methods such as statistical, mathematical, or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and surveys can be used on a random large scale population for assessing the epidemiology of health issues( PTSD, depression etc) , implementation of program, evaluation of a medicine, vaccine trials etc. Statistical analysis such as parametric (t tests, ANOVA) and non parametric tests (Friedmann test) may be used.
• For qualitative indicators methods such as observation ,interviews,open-ended surveys,focus groups,content analysis of visual and textual materials, oral history.

Good Luck!