Measurement And Meaning: Combining Quantitative And Qualitative Methods For The Analysis Of Poverty And Social Exclusion In Latin America (world Bank Technical Papers)

Over the past decade, the World Bank has evolved its analysis and reporting on poverty to a multi-dimensional view which includes issues of social disadvantage, vulnerability, and powerlessness. This broader construct, which considers the concepts of social exclusion and social capital, suggests the need for a greater degree of qualitative research. Qualitative research has proved particularly valuable in identifying social issues while improving the accuracy of quantitative research. This report presents three case studies drawn from World Bank work in Latin America. Each of these studies—one each from Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay—illustrates the gains that can be derived from combining the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods. This report consists of a collection of case studies from Latin America combining qualitative and quantitative research methods for the analysis of poverty within a social exclusion framework. The first chapter provides an overview of the differences between quantitative and qualitative methods, and the gains from using both types of methods in applied work. The other chapters are devoted to three case studies on reproductive health in rural Argentina, the targeting of social programs in Chile, and social exclusion in urban Uruguay. Each case study was prepared within the broader context of country-specific economic and sectoral work at the World Bank. The chapters are: (1) Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods for Policy Research on Poverty within a Social Exclusion Framework (Carine Clert, Estanislao Gacitua-Mario, and Quentin Wodon); (2) Reproductive Health in Argentina's Poor Rural Area (Estanislao Gacitua-Mario, Corinne Sianes, and Quentin Wodon); (3) The Targeting of Government Programs in Chile (Carine Clert and Quentin Wodon); and (4) Social Exclusion in Urban Uruguay. Each chapter contains references. (Author/SLD) This report presents three case studies drawn from World Bank work in Latin America. Each of these studies - one each from Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay - illustrates the gains that can be derived from combining the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Edited By Estanislao Gacitúa-marió, Quentin Wodon. Work In Progress For Public Discussion. Includes Bibliographical References.