Analysis and evaluation are necessary in everyday life, especially in cognitive tasks such as understanding and making intelligent decisions. Both are also involved in information science as they deal with the critique of evidence. In addition, they work hand in hand since an analysis is needed to arrive at an efficient evaluation. Therefore, these interrelated processes are evident in how we understand and appreciate information.
“Analyze” and “evaluate” are two crucial key terms in knowledge objectives, as they are necessary to actualize higher-order thinking skills. For example, students must analyze theories, problems, experiences, and other related concepts. In addition, students are tasked with taking a position and elucidating their judgments. In fact, analyzes and evaluations are key processes in learning and are essential in advancing the disciplines.
What is analysis?
The root of analysis is based on the French word “analyse” which means “to dissect”. It is also from the Greek words, “ana” (a breaking) and “lysis” (a loosening). As its name implies, it is the process of determining the valuable components of a certain concept. To analyze something is to determine its factors, effects, causes, importance, etc.
The following are the six types of analysis:
- Descriptive – This is a quantitative description of commonly large data that basically requires less effort compared to the other types.
- Exploratory: This type seeks to reveal data connections.
- Inferential – Tests theories and generally tests responses from a sample population.
- Predictive: Analyze current and past information to predict future values.
- Causal: Analyzing causality involves testing how one variable is affected by another.
- Mechanistic – Compared to the other types, mechanistic analysis demands the most effort as it is necessary to test the exact changes of variables between individual objects.
What is being evaluated?
Evaluating came from the French word, “ évaluer” which means “to find the value of”. Therefore, evaluating is the process of verifying the value or importance of something. It evaluates standards such as goodness, usefulness, feasibility, and validity with the objective to improve performance and make wise choices.
The following are the two types of evaluations:
Formative evaluation
-Needs Assessment: Assess who or what needs certain training, as well as the skill sets that still need to be learned.
–Evaluation of the process: it evaluates the functioning of the programs or the implementation of activities.
Summative evaluation
–Evaluation of results: determines to what extent the objectives are being met, such as the degree of addition or modification of knowledge, skills, values and the like in a short-term environment.
-Impact evaluation: checks the long-term impacts that generally affect a wider range of the population compared to the evaluation of results.
Difference Between Analyze and Evaluate
1-Analysis and evaluation process.
The main difference is that analysis involves dividing a concept into its parts for better interpretation while evaluation requires a determination of importance.
2-Inference Analysis and Evaluation
The inference of analyzes refers to interpretations in terms of implications, meanings and justifications. On the other hand, inference from evaluations refers to quality evaluations.
3-Sequence in the analysis and evaluation.
Generally, analysis comes first before evaluating. In order for you to determine the value, you have to identify the elements. For example, a real estate agent can only identify the price of a property if he already knows its location, measurements, scarcity, and other characteristics.
4-Mandatory results in the analysis and evaluation
Normally, the result of an evaluation should be the resulting quality. On the contrary, a result is not so mandatory in the analysis, since it only mainly involves the interpretation.
5-Duration of the mental process in the analysis and evaluation
Analysis generally includes a longer thought process as it deals with segmentation and classification, while evaluation basically deals with conclusion.
6-Analysis and Evaluation Tests.
Evaluation is more related to testing compared to analysis. Evaluating is judging what is worth analyzing as we study the data.
7-Output in analysis and evaluation
The end product of an evaluation is a conclusion, while the result of an analysis is a better understanding.
8-Subjectivity in analysis and evaluation.
A subjective perspective is more likely to influence the evaluation process compared to the analysis process, as judgments may involve emotions.
9-Academic Studies in Analysis and Evaluation.
Analysis is more often done in academic research as compared to evaluation as the academic world is usually concerned with in-depth studies.
10-Pros and cons of analyzing and evaluating
The evaluation of the pros and cons is mainly associated with the evaluation, since you have to weigh both parties to reach a verdict.
11-Relationships in analysis and evaluation.
Analysis is more concerned with identifying item relationships while evaluation focuses on efficiency.
12-Keywords in analysis and evaluation
Most of the keywords related to analysis are categorize, compare, relate, examine, and differentiate. On the other hand, the key words to evaluate are judge, evaluate, solve, criticize and qualify.
Comparative Table
| Analysis | Evaluation |
| Interpret data | Determine the importance of the data. |
| Concerned about the implications and meanings | It deals with the measurement of quality. |
| Comes first before evaluating | You need to wait for the analysis before making an evaluation. |
| The results are not so mandatory. | The results are highly mandatory. |
| Longer and often more complicated thought process. | As it simply concludes, it is typically shorter |
| Study data | test data |
| More associated with objectivity. | It may be influenced by subjectivity. |
| Often used in academic research. | Less used in academic research. |
| Less associated with the pros and cons. | More involved with the pros and cons |
| More linked to the identification of relationships. | Less connected with reaching out to relationships. |
| Keywords: categorize, relate, differentiate. | Keywords: judge, evaluate, criticize. |
Summary of Analysis and Evaluation
- Analysis and evaluation are necessary in daily life as well as in the improvement of disciplines.
- Typically, there are six types of analysis: descriptive, exploratory, inferential, causal, predictive, and mechanistic.
- Assessment is generally typified as formative or summative.
- Analysis interprets data when dealing with meanings and implications, while evaluation assesses the value of something. Therefore, the results are more mandatory for the evaluation process.
- Analysis comes first before evaluating.
- Analysis largely involves a longer thought process compared to evaluation.
- Analysis is most often employed in academic research as it is closely related to objectivity.
- Identification of relationships is more associated with analysis.
- The keywords to analyze are categorize, relate, and differentiate, while the ones to evaluate are judge, evaluate, and criticize.
We hope that you have understood the difference between analysis and evaluation.
