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Aspirations: An Approach to Measurement with Validation Using Ethiopian Data

Aspirations: An Approach to Measurement with Validation Using Ethiopian Data Individuals' aspirations and their consequences on future-oriented behaviour have received increased attention in development economics literature in recent years. At this stage, each study relies on ad hoc empirical instruments to measure aspirations, thereby limiting comparability of the results obtained. This paper proposes a set of simple measurement instruments, spanning several dimensions that can be aggregated via individual-specific weights. We use a purposefully collected data set to test for the usability, reliability and validity of the instruments, based on a test–retest approach, along with random variations within the questionnaire and the information set available to respondents, and differential enumerator experience. Our results support the proposed set of measurement instruments, with the caveat that the instrument requires experienced enumerators capable of adequately probing respondents. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of African Economies Oxford University Press

Aspirations: An Approach to Measurement with Validation Using Ethiopian Data

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References (25)

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
© The author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Centre for the Study of African Economies. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com
Subject
Articles
ISSN
0963-8024
eISSN
1464-3723
DOI
10.1093/jae/ejt030
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Individuals' aspirations and their consequences on future-oriented behaviour have received increased attention in development economics literature in recent years. At this stage, each study relies on ad hoc empirical instruments to measure aspirations, thereby limiting comparability of the results obtained. This paper proposes a set of simple measurement instruments, spanning several dimensions that can be aggregated via individual-specific weights. We use a purposefully collected data set to test for the usability, reliability and validity of the instruments, based on a test–retest approach, along with random variations within the questionnaire and the information set available to respondents, and differential enumerator experience. Our results support the proposed set of measurement instruments, with the caveat that the instrument requires experienced enumerators capable of adequately probing respondents.

Journal

Journal of African EconomiesOxford University Press

Published: Mar 10, 2014

Keywords: JEL classification C83 O12 D01

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