Wellbeing research in developing countries: reviewing the role of qualitative methods

WELLBEING RESEARCH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: REVIEWING THE ROLE OF QUALITATIVE METHODS CONTENTS * Abstract * Citation * Links ABSTRACT The authors review the contribution of qualitative

methods to exploring concepts and experiences of wellbeing among children and adults living in developing countries. They provide examples illustrating the potential of these methods for

gaining a holistic and contextual understanding of people's perceptions and experiences. Some of these come from Young Lives, an innovative long-term international research project

investigating the changing nature of child poverty in India, Ethiopia, Peru and Vietnam, and others from the Wellbeing in Developing Countries ESRC research group (WeD), an international,

inter-disciplinary project exploring the social and cultural construction of wellbeing in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Peru and Thailand (http://www.welldev.org.uk). The authors show how

qualitative methods can be used both alongside and as part of the development of sensitive and relevant quantitative measures, and provide some practical and methodological recommendations.

They propose that qualitative approaches are essential in understanding people's experiences of wellbeing, both now and in the future. However, the authors caution that while these

offer many benefits, for example, a less structured and hierarchical engagement between researcher and participant; they require time, energy, and sensitivity. Qualitative methods also work

best when used by trained and experienced researchers working in the local language/s in a community where some rapport has already been established. Finally, the paper recommends combining

data from qualitative and quantitative approaches (e.g. psychological measures or household surveys) to enhance its explanatory power. CITATION Social Indicators Research (2009) 90 (1) 5-31

[doi: 10.1007/s11205-008-9310-z] LINKS Wellbeing Research in Developing Countries: Reviewing the Role of Qualitative Methods UPDATES TO THIS PAGE Published 1 January 2009 Contents