Which evaluation method allows for deeper contextual understanding?

Qualitative data is the correct choice for this question because it provides rich, detailed insights into the experiences, perceptions, and motivations of individuals. By utilizing methods such as interviews, focus groups, and open-ended surveys, qualitative data allows evaluators to capture the complexity of human behavior and the context surrounding a particular subject. This depth of understanding is crucial for interpreting the nuances of social phenomena and can reveal the "why" behind behaviors, which quantitative data alone—focused on numerical and statistical analysis—may not fully explain.

In contrast, quantitative data generally emphasizes measurement and statistical relationships, which can provide a broad overview but may overlook the subtleties and complexities that qualitative methods can uncover. Formative evaluation is a process that happens during a program's development to improve its design, while summative evaluation occurs at the end to assess effectiveness. Both formative and summative evaluations can include qualitative aspects, but it is the qualitative data itself that is specifically aimed at providing that deeper contextual understanding.