Hello manuwl,
A semi-quantitative analysis gives you the relative amount, but not the absolute value.
As an example, lets say a manufacturing plant produces 4 times more automobiles than trucks. You are not given the total amount of either automobiles or trucks, so you are given a semi-quantitative analysis.
Another example is using the starch-iodine test for the presence of amylase. You can get a range of positive results with varying shades of blue. The test is not qualitative nor quantitative because you do not have a number stating the amount of amylase is present. The results may be recorded as 'slight' or 'strong', providing you with a general amount - which is a semi-quantitative analysis.
Sincerely,
Eugene