Qualitative and quantitative measures

Question 1

Why are quantitative measures of development used?

Answer 1

• compare countries
• highlight areas in need of help
• identify strengths and weaknesses needed to be addressed
• accurate, simple and easy to understand

Question 2

What are the features of qualitative data?

Answer 2

• small scale, precise and place specific

- focused on effects on people

Question 3

Is the $1 a day measurement quantitative or qualitative?

Answer 3

quantitative

Question 4

How is the $1 a day measurement useful?

Answer 4

• there is a finite amount of aid that rich countries are prepared to give
• focuses attention on the world’s poor

Question 5

How can the $1 a day measurement be criticised?

Answer 5

too low - someone earning $1.25 a day or $1.50 is still in poverty

Question 6

What is HDI?

Answer 6

a score between 0 and 1 compromising economic and standards of living and quality of life data

Question 7

Why is HDI a useful measurement?

Answer 7

• combines different indicators

- updated annually

Question 8

Is HDI quantitative or qualitative?

Answer 8

Quantitative

Question 9

What are some limitations with HDI?

Answer 9

• Life expectancy figures are slow to respond to medical breakthroughs or new diseases
• can’t provide information on disparities within a country

Question 10

What is GNI?

Answer 10

Gross National Income (the average income per person)

Question 11

Why is GNI useful?

Answer 11

• up to date and accurate

- good indicator of general development levels

Question 12

What are some limitations with using GNI?

Answer 12

• tells us nothing about inequality

- doesn’t include informal sector etc.

Question 13

Is there a relationship between GNI and HDI?

Answer 13

there is a positive relationship between GNI and HDI: as GNI increases, so does HDI

Question 14

What are the advantages of using qualitative measurements of development?

Answer 14

• help explain what poverty is
• engage people to support charities
• help identify hidden issues such as gender inequality

Question 15

What are some disadvantages with using qualitative measurements?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Where is a case study example for qualitative data?

Answer 16

Dharavi, Mumbai

Question 17

How does the qualitative data for Dharavi help to understand India beyond just its GNI and HDI figures?

Answer 17

Shows the separation where GNI and HDI see the area as an average

Question 18

What are some characteristics of life in Dharavi?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

What work goes on in Dharavi?

Answer 19

• 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