Une expérience d'intégration entre analyse quantitative et qualitative: l'évaluation de la formation professionnelle en Région Piémont

ABSTRACT: In public policy evaluation, impact assessment deals with two relevant aspects: on the one hand, the theme of impact measurement, on the other that of its explanation. Quantitative research techniques usually play a vital role in the measurement, while qualitative techniques are much more useful in explanation. In order to carry on a successful impact assessment is therefore necessary to integrate the first with the second, combining them in a balanced research design. The use of mixed methods in this direction, allows to overcome some critical to the quantitative approach, as the qualitative approach. But how can you achieve an effective integration of the methods? The article attempts to answer to this question. After a brief theoretical excursus on the use of mixed methods in evaluation research, with the presentation of three different theoretical options for use of the same, sequential, concurrent, and transformative, the paper describes specific experience of integration between qualitative and quantitative methods in the analysis of employment effects of vocational training, experienced in Piedmont Region, as part of the independent evaluation of the ESF Operational Programme. The paper discussing the positive and critical.