What is the difference between objective performance measures and subjective ratings?

• A. Subjective ratings rely on evaluator judgments or impressions.
• B. Objective measures rely on opinions.
• C. Objective measures are purely qualitative.
• D. Subjective ratings are always numerical.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is what each type of measure is built on. Objective performance measures are grounded in data that can be observed and quantified—things like output numbers, completion time, error rates, or production totals. Subjective ratings come from evaluator judgments or impressions about performance, such as perceived quality or effort. So the difference lies in data versus judgment: objective measures seek numerical, verifiable facts, while subjective ratings rely on the evaluator’s perspective. In some contexts, people talk about how judgments influence how metrics are defined or applied, which can blur the line between data collection and interpretation, but the core distinction remains: data-driven metrics versus evaluator impressions.