Equality is about treating everyone the same - it does not ensure social justice. Equity is about ensuring individuals have the necessary resources to be successful - even if this means some individuals will get more than others.
Regarding equity, quantity of benefit need not be a factor, but rather emphasize that difference of benefit, as befits individual needs, is preferable. A linear approach to equity seems too close to equality, and does not allow for greater creativity in problem solving. Such creativity is sorely needed in nursing research, for example, despite the reality that funding for quantitative typically trumps qualitative approaches.