Qualitative and Quantitative Research Techniques for Humanitarian Needs Assessment; an Introductory Brief

Within the context of phase I and phase II rapid needs assessments during the initial days of an emergency response, both qualitative and quantitative information is needed to develop a shared understanding of how people are affected by emergencies. Quantitative data guides in understanding the magnitude and scale of a humanitarian crisis by providing a numeric picture of its impact upon affected communities. It addresses the questions: how many and how much. Qualitative data, on the other hand, focuses on determining the nature of the impact of a disaster upon affected populations. Qualitative data answers questions of how and why coping strategies have adapted, or failed to adapt, to the changed circumstance.