1. “Neighborhood Social Planning and Development” NEBSOC WORK PACKAGES - 3.1 (DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY) & 3.2 (DEEPENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL DYNAMIC IN THE AREA)

2. INTRODUCTION – considering poverty Poverty is probably among the oldest and persisting problems societies facing all over the world. “Poor” people represent persons, families and groups of persons whose resources (material, cultural and social) are limited enough to exclude them from a minimum acceptable way of life in their countries. (European Commission, 1984) Poverty rates differ from country to country, according to each country’s different characteristics and way of living. Income, is one (but not the only) of the most common parameter researchers used to “describe” or “determine” poverty rates.

3. 3 INTRODUCTION – WORK PACKAGE OVERVIEW Research for secondary data Gather and analyze primary data Create and solve the “poverty equation” Then we will know who the poor are

4. 4 WORK PACKAGE 3.1 – DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY Strategies for the design of data collection projects vary according to needs and expectations. Within a state or region, there are almost always different characteristics, its own relative importance and its own potential for the supply of data. Each country/city will require its own sampling strategy and a special tactic in approaching the target group. It is not feasible to construct a perfect strategy that will meet all requirements. Flexibility and adoption of alternative approaches must form a key component of any strategy, whether it is designed for poverty assessment, social exclusion measurement and even unemployment ratings. The collection strategy at this project must take into account the sensitive nature of our target group in question and reform some approaching and interview techniques.

5. 5 WORK PACKAGE 3.1 – DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY In general, however, any strategy will require the following steps (I): Evaluate existing data sets and secondary data in relation to the objectives of the project, including accessibility of the data (i.e. computerized, on paper) directly from the Municipality and from external sources like the unemployment office. Describe/Identify the general characteristics of the Municipality (e.g. total population, demographics, community differences etc), also known as the census or frame survey. Decide on the approach to be taken : total sampling, including cost-benefit and cost effectiveness analysis and an evaluation of operational considerations (institutional, financial and human resources). Create the questionnaire taking into consideration all the parameters we’ll need to use in the final poverty equation.

6. 6 WORK PACKAGE 3.1 – DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY In general, however, any strategy will require the following steps (II): Design methods according to the approach adopted in sampling. Implement a test phase to validate the method, including participation by other stakeholders. Establish a continuing feedback mechanism between data sources and data users/receivers to ensure that data types, quantity, quality and origin are consistent with the requirements for determination of the performance indicator in question.

7. 7 WORK PACKAGE 3.1 – DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY – Things to consider After examining all available secondary data, hopefully we will be able to pin-point the exact areas in which the primary research must take place. Afterwards the target area must be mapped and divided into separate smaller ones, in order to be assigned to different research teams. Population density, available transportation, criminal rates, social surroundings etc will determine the working hours and practices of researchers. Data collection and final analysis must be followed by a cross-check of all available information so as to ensure respondents answered truthfully.

8. 8 WORK PACKAGE 3.1 – DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY TIMETABLE Obtain and analyze secondary data Target specific areas for primary research Scout the area in question and create a plan for the researchers First month Begin the data collection in the target area Use maps and digital technology in a daily basis to ensure that all areas are covered and that questionnaires are being delivered correctly Second month

9. 9 WORK PACKAGE 3.2 – DEEPENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL DYNAMIC IN THE AREA Having gathered and analyzed all relevant data, the next step is to map out the social dynamics in the target areas. We must isolate the indexes we need to evaluate and measure the poverty and social exclusion ratio. Although not all parameters/questions will be about poverty and social exclusion, the rest will help define the general context and cross-check our results. Protection and safe keeping of personal data is of crucial importance, thus we must ensure that no information revealing specific house location along with the residents responses will be released to the public.

10. 10 WORK PACKAGE 3.2 – DEEPENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL DYNAMIC IN THE AREA In order to provide a measure of poverty, it is necessary to make choices leading to a simplification of the concept of poverty. Better and up-to-date information about the poor is essential to assist the government in designing effective policies. Who are the poor? Where do they live? So which questions must be answered? How many poor are there?

11. 11 WORK PACKAGE 3.2 – DEEPENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL DYNAMIC IN THE AREA – Simplification of the concept of poverty The creation and use of Scorecards In an approach to simplify the process of measuring poverty, certain organizations came up with the use of Scorecards Scorecards are simple Yes-No questions in which we examine not the actual income earnings but possession of certain commodities and money spending The key element in this is that we can come with a single number (score) for each household, classifying it either poor or not

12. 12 WORK PACKAGE 3.2 – DEEPENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL DYNAMIC IN THE AREA – Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) We need a quantitative eligibility criterion or threshold (cut-off score) People (through their score) will be either above the poverty threshold or below it People whose scores are relatively close to the threshold (both higher and lower) are the same With this method we can set a threshold and quickly separate all participants in groups depending of their poverty level

13. 13 WORK PACKAGE 3.2 – DEEPENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL DYNAMIC IN THE AREA We need to come up with our “precious” poverty equation, as it will define everything from the questionnaire, to our data collection strategy, to our analysis and at the end our final report

14. 14 WORK PACKAGE 3.2 – DEEPENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL DYNAMIC IN THE AREA Income is the primary parameter to measure poverty but also the most misleading Personal ownership (houses, cars etc) not only generates income but can also add secondary value to the equation Each member of the household does contribute to the poverty equation but not with the same weighted value Factors to consider

15. 15 WORK PACKAGE 3.2 – DEEPENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SOCIAL DYNAMIC IN THE AREA TIMETABLE It will start together with the 2 nd month of the data collection strategy Analyze and study all results Look for significant correlations and statistical patterns First month Examine the poverty equation with our findings and identify the poor and their exact location Start working on the final project study Second month Finish the project study and try to verify findings Forward all results and conclusions to the department responsible with formulating the GIS platform and work together while the maps are being made Third month