Methodological Note on Conducting Poverty Dynamics Research

The purpose of this note is to introduce a methodology for investigating the extent of impoverishment and transitory poverty escapes, as well as the factors that help protect against impoverishment and support sustained poverty escapes. It details the four basic elements needed in order to conduct this exercise (Section II), six steps of the actual research process (Section III), and some cautionary notes on the limitations inherent in this type of analysis (Section IV).

This report is part of a suite of products produced by LEO to explore sustainable poverty escapes.  A synthesis of findings from research into poverty dynamics in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Uganda is available here. Country case studies were published for Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Uganda, along with this methodological note on conducting poverty dynamics research.  Additional resources include an infographic and a brief on the policy and program implications of this research, which is forthcoming.