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What does it mean to be poor?: Investigating the qualitative-quantitative divide in Mozambique

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  • Sam Jones
  • Inge Tvedten

Abstract

This paper reflects on the relationship between economic (quantitative) and anthropological (qualitative) approaches to the analysis of poverty in developing countries. Drawing on detailed evidence from Mozambique, we argue that different research approaches do not merely see the same poverty from different angles; rather, they tend to conceptualize poverty differently. These different views can be traced to alternative philosophical positions along three axes—the ontological character of poverty; its generative mechanisms; and epistemological priorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Sam Jones & Inge Tvedten, 2018. "What does it mean to be poor?: Investigating the qualitative-quantitative divide in Mozambique," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-75, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2018-75
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    Poverty analysis; Poverty measurement;

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