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Data Issues and Databases Used in Analysis of Growth, Poverty and Economic Inequality

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  • Heshmati, Almas

    (Jönköping University)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the importance data issues to the analysis of growth, poverty and economic inequality. We introduce a number of major databases frequently used in applied research on growth, poverty and global and international inequality. A discussion of data quality, data consistency, variable definitions and measurement, changing population and household size leading to various necessary scale and price adjustment procedures will follow. The sampling design and various dimensions of sample dependency are also discussed. Based on the existing experience we identify a number of factors that are important in applied research. The focus is on these factors which impacts on reliability, precision, sensitivity and consistency of the results and conclusions drawn.

Suggested Citation

  • Heshmati, Almas, 2004. "Data Issues and Databases Used in Analysis of Growth, Poverty and Economic Inequality," IZA Discussion Papers 1263, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp1263
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    Cited by:

    1. Neutel, Marcel & Heshmati, Almas, 2006. "Globalisation, Inequality and Poverty Relationships: A Cross Country Evidence," IZA Discussion Papers 2223, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Heshmati, Almas, 2004. "The World Distribution of Income and Income Inequality," IZA Discussion Papers 1267, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    4. Heshmati, Almas, 2004. "Growth, Inequality and Poverty Relationships," IZA Discussion Papers 1338, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    income inequality; poverty; growth; decomposition; databases; adjustment; Gini coefficient;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative

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