Analyze vs. Evaluate: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 7, 2023
To analyze is to break down and examine in detail. To evaluate is to judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality.
Key Differences
Analyze and Evaluate are two terms that, while interrelated, have distinct implications and applications. To analyze involves dissecting a subject into its constituent parts to understand its nature, structure, or meaning. When someone analyzes, they are seeking to understand how something works, its components, or its underlying reasons. For instance, a scientist might analyze a compound to determine its chemical composition, or a writer might analyze the themes and symbols in a novel.
Evaluate, however, involves making a judgment or assessing the value, significance, or quality of something. When evaluating, one is not just understanding the components but making determinations based on criteria or standards. An art critic, for instance, would evaluate a painting based on its technique, emotional impact, and originality. Similarly, a teacher might evaluate a student's essay based on its coherence, arguments, and grammar.
It's crucial to recognize the sequential relationship between the two processes. Typically, one might analyze before they evaluate. By understanding the details and intricacies (analysis), one can make a more informed judgment (evaluation). For instance, a judge might analyze the evidence presented in a case before evaluating and delivering a verdict.
However, it's also possible for the processes to occur simultaneously or for one to happen without the other. For instance, one might evaluate a meal as delicious without analyzing every ingredient. Conversely, a mechanic might analyze the parts of an engine without evaluating whether the car is good or bad overall.
In summary, while both analysis and evaluation involve close examination, analysis seeks understanding, and evaluation seeks judgment.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Objective
Understanding components and structure.
Judging quality or value.
Process
Dissection into parts.
Assessment against criteria.
End Result
Detailed understanding.
Judgment or determination.
Example of Usage
Analyze a poem's structure.
Evaluate the poem's impact.
Nature of Task
Objective examination.
Subjective or criteria-based judgment.
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Analyze and Evaluate Definitions
Analyze
To study relationships and reactions systematically.
Economists analyze market trends to predict outcomes.
Evaluate
To judge or determine the worth or quality.
The teacher will evaluate the students' projects.
Analyze
To break down into constituent parts for study.
The therapist helped her analyze her feelings.
Evaluate
To consider or examine something to make a judgment.
She needs to evaluate her options before deciding.
Analyze
To examine in detail to understand components.
The scientist will analyze the soil samples for minerals.
Evaluate
To form an idea of the amount or value of.
The company will evaluate its assets annually.
Analyze
To dissect for closer examination.
The detective will analyze the evidence for clues.
Evaluate
To ascertain or fix the value of.
The appraiser will evaluate the value of the antique.
Analyze
To interpret and understand deeply.
The students were asked to analyze the author's intent.
Evaluate
To ascertain or fix the value or amount of
Evaluate the damage from the flood.
Analyze
To examine methodically by separating into parts and studying their interrelations.
Evaluate
To determine the importance, effectiveness, or worth of; assess
Evaluate teacher performance.
Analyze
(Chemistry) To make a chemical analysis of.
Evaluate
(Mathematics) To calculate the numerical value of; express numerically.
Analyze
(Mathematics) To make a mathematical analysis of.
Evaluate
(transitive) To draw conclusions from examining; to assess.
It will take several years to evaluate the material gathered in the survey.
Analyze
To psychoanalyze.
Evaluate
To compute or determine the value of (an expression).
Evaluate this integral.
Analyze
(transitive) To subject to analysis.
Evaluate
To return or have a specific value.
Analyze
(transitive) To resolve (anything complex) into its elements.
Evaluate
To fix the value of; to rate; to appraise.
Analyze
(transitive) To separate into the constituent parts, for the purpose of an examination of each separately.
Evaluate
Place a value on; judge the worth of something;
I will have the family jewels appraised by a professional
Analyze
(transitive) To examine in such a manner as to ascertain the elements or nature of the thing examined; as, to analyze a fossil substance, to analyze a sentence or a word, or to analyze an action to ascertain its morality.
Evaluate
To assess against a set of standards or criteria.
Critics evaluate movies based on storytelling and cinematography.
Analyze
To subject to analysis; to resolve (anything complex) into its elements; to separate into the constituent parts, for the purpose of an examination of each separately; to examine in such a manner as to ascertain the elements or nature of the thing examined; to consider in detail in order to discover essential features or meaning; as, to analyze an action to ascertain its morality; to analyse a sonnet by Shakespeare; to analyse the evidence in a criminal trial; to analyse your real motives.
No one, I presume, can analyze the sensations of pleasure or pain.
Analyze
Make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features; as, to analyse a specimen; to analyze a fossil substance; to analyze a sentence or a word; to analyse a chemical compound.
Analyze
Subject to psychoanalytic treatment.
Analyze
Consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning;
Analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare
Analyze the evidence in a criminal trial
Analyze your real motives
Analyze
Make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features;
Analyze a specimen
Analyze a sentence
Analyze a chemical compound
Analyze
Break down into components or essential features;
Analyze today's financial market
Analyze
Subject to psychoanalytic treatment;
I was analyzed in Vienna by a famous psychiatrist
FAQs
Can you analyze without evaluating?
Yes, you can break down and understand something (analyze) without judging it (evaluate).
Is analysis more objective than evaluation?
Generally, analysis is objective examination, while evaluation involves judgment which can be subjective.
Do you always evaluate after analyzing?
Not always, but often analysis precedes evaluation for informed judgment.
What is the main goal of analysis?
The main goal of analysis is understanding components and structure.
Is evaluation always based on set criteria?
Often, but not always. Evaluation can also be based on personal or subjective judgment.
What does it mean to evaluate something?
To evaluate means to judge or determine its quality, worth, or significance.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
