Descriptive Evaluation Descriptive evaluation sets out to describe events and evaluate their impact. The principal concern of the researcher is to clarify the context in which health care interventions are taking place. Descriptive studies are often used to clarify and evaluate key issues related to service development and management. Studies are normally carried out in collaboration with providers and users. Descriptive studies are useful when service providers need to clarify service objectives and highlight existing problems in service design and delivery.
Descriptive studies are likely to be heavily dependent on the perspective of the researcher.
As a consequence research results may be viewed as unscientific and unpopular findings may be dismissed. Audit Evaluation Audit evaluation sets out to discover if the interventions or services studied follow approved procedures or achieve the objectives set. Audit research compares what the service does with stated or assumed goals. E.g. comparison of waiting lists between clinical specialists. This type of research is of particular value for managerial monitoring of day to day provision.