Analysis of Household Surveys: A Microeconometric Approach to Development Policy

Analysis of Household Surveys examines how to collect, analyze and interpret household survey data for development economics research and policy. The book provides guidance on statistical methods and econometric techniques for working with complex survey data from developing countries. The text covers fundamental topics including sampling design, measurement error, and panel data analysis. It addresses specific applications like measuring poverty, analyzing consumption patterns, and studying labor markets in developing economies. Through practical examples using actual survey data, Deaton demonstrates how to handle common challenges researchers face when working with household surveys. The book includes detailed mathematical and statistical explanations along with coding examples. The work stands as a methodological cornerstone for evidence-based development policy, bridging the gap between theoretical econometrics and practical development research. Its systematic approach to survey analysis has influenced how researchers and institutions conduct poverty measurement and welfare analysis in developing nations.

Readers describe this as a technical reference book for economists doing household survey analysis. Many found it valuable for understanding econometric methods and household consumption patterns in developing countries. Likes: - Clear explanations of statistical techniques - Real-world examples using actual survey data - Comprehensive coverage of key methods - Detailed appendices and references Dislikes: - Math-heavy content challenging for non-economists - Some sections dated (published 1997) - Limited coverage of panel data methods - High price point ($90+ new) Ratings: Goodreads: 4.14/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (6 reviews) One PhD economics student noted it "explains complex concepts better than any econometrics textbook." A development researcher called it "dense but rewarding for understanding household behavior in poor countries." Multiple reviewers mentioned referring back to it frequently in their work analyzing survey data.

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📚 This groundbreaking book, published in 1997, revolutionized how economists analyze household survey data in developing countries. 🎓 Author Angus Deaton won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2015 for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare. 📊 The book introduces innovative statistical techniques for dealing with common survey problems like measurement errors and missing data, which are now standard practice in development economics. 🌍 Many of the examples in the book draw from large-scale surveys conducted in Côte d'Ivoire and Thailand during the 1980s, providing rare insights into household economics in developing nations. 💡 The methodologies presented in the book have been instrumental in improving how organizations like the World Bank and United Nations measure global poverty and track development goals.