Measuring Time Use in Development Settings

40 Pages Posted: 24 Jul 2017

See all articles by Greg Seymour

Greg Seymour

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Hazel Jean Malapit

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Agnes R. Quisumbing

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Date Written: July 18, 2017

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenges associated with collecting time-use data in developing countries. The paper suggests potential solutions, concentrating on the two most common time-use methods used in development settings: stylized questions and time diaries. The paper identifies a significant lack of rigorous empirical research comparing these methods in development settings, and begins to fill this gap by analyzing data from Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index surveys in Bangladesh and Uganda. The surveys include stylized questions and time diary estimates for the same individual. The study finds limited evidence that stylized questions are more feasible (in terms of interview length) but also less accurate, compared with time diaries. These results are attributed to the relatively greater cognitive burden imposed on respondents by stylized questions. The paper discusses the importance of broadening the scope of time-use research to capture the quantity and quality of time, to achieve richer insights into gendered time-use patterns and trends. The paper suggests a path forward that combines mainstream time-use data collection methods with promising methodological innovations from other disciplines.

Keywords: Poverty Lines, Poverty Diagnostics, Poverty Monitoring & Analysis, Poverty Impact Evaluation, Small Area Estimation Poverty Mapping, Poverty Assessment

Suggested Citation

Seymour, Greg and Malapit, Hazel Jean and Quisumbing, Agnes R., Measuring Time Use in Development Settings (July 18, 2017). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 8147, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3006221

Greg Seymour (Contact Author)

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

Hazel Jean Malapit

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

Agnes R. Quisumbing

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
93
Abstract Views
552
Rank
502,565
PlumX Metrics