Qualitative and quantitative measures Flashcards
Why are quantitative measures of development used?
- compare countries
- highlight areas in need of help
- identify strengths and weaknesses needed to be addressed
- accurate, simple and easy to understand
What are the features of qualitative data?
- small scale, precise and place specific
- focused on effects on people
Is the $1 a day measurement quantitative or qualitative?
quantitative
How is the $1 a day measurement useful?
- there is a finite amount of aid that rich countries are prepared to give
- focuses attention on the world’s poor
How can the $1 a day measurement be criticised?
too low - someone earning $1.25 a day or $1.50 is still in poverty
What is HDI?
a score between 0 and 1 compromising economic and standards of living and quality of life data
Why is HDI a useful measurement?
- combines different indicators
- updated annually
Is HDI quantitative or qualitative?
Quantitative
What are some limitations with HDI?
- Life expectancy figures are slow to respond to medical breakthroughs or new diseases
- can’t provide information on disparities within a country
What is GNI?
Gross National Income (the average income per person)
Why is GNI useful?
- up to date and accurate
- good indicator of general development levels
What are some limitations with using GNI?
- tells us nothing about inequality
- doesn’t include informal sector etc.
Is there a relationship between GNI and HDI?
there is a positive relationship between GNI and HDI: as GNI increases, so does HDI
What are the advantages of using qualitative measurements of development?
- help explain what poverty is
- engage people to support charities
- help identify hidden issues such as gender inequality
What are some disadvantages with using qualitative measurements?
- time consuming
- may be easily influenced by researcher’s bias and personal views
- anonymity may be an issue
- participants may be dishonest or bias to the situation
Where is a case study example for qualitative data?
Dharavi, Mumbai
How does the qualitative data for Dharavi help to understand India beyond just its GNI and HDI figures?
Shows the separation where GNI and HDI see the area as an average
What are some characteristics of life in Dharavi?
- a million residents in a square metre living in low-rise wood,concrete and iron slum housing
- a tap for every ten houses/100 people
- 16 toilets for 3,000 people - a rupee a visit
- gang crime
What work goes on in Dharavi?
- 15,000 hutment factories
- recycled material earns the $millions in annual exports
- workhouse fashion - eating, sleeping and working youths to make 150 children’s clothes a day
- businesses have been able to start inside the slum due to water and power
