Conference on Survey Design and Measurement in Development Economics

Development economics has expanded in recent years in part because many researchers are collecting new data, driven by both policy questions and curiosity about human behavior. Yet a systematic body of knowledge emanating from this field experience pertaining to measurement and survey design has not been forthcoming; this conference on survey design and measurement aims to fill this gap.

This two day conference will include seven sessions, each touching on a unique aspect of measurement. Scholars will discuss topics including the reliability of recall and self-reported data, as well as methods for improvement such as the use of diaries and Personalized Digital Assistants (PDAs). Potential improvements in data quality, the speed of data delivery, and cost-effectiveness through alternative methods of survey will be explored; the use of electronic questionnaires is examined and compared to traditional paper surveys. Sampling methods to reduce attrition in panel data and more effective follow-up strategies will be evaluated, as well.  Selected papers presented within these sessions will be published in a special issue of the Journal of Development Economics, co-edited by the conference organizers.

This event is presented by the World Bank, the Enterprise Initiative at the University of Chicago, and Yale University, with support from the John Templeton Foundation.