1. Margaret Lombe, Ph.D. GSSW, Boston College lombe@bc.edu
Review of Approaches and Methods to Measure Social Inclusion and Cohesion
Margaret Lombe, Ph.D.
GSSW, Boston College

2. Introduction
The modern discussion of social exclusion/inclusion is strongest in Europe
In fact it is within the European Union that comprehensive measures of inclusion exist
Measurement of inclusion is essential
At this point, little is known about the meaning of inclusion across nations and cultures

3. Introduction
An important step in the measurement of inclusion may be to specify the meaning of inclusion in different contexts
A next important step may be systematic data collection so that a knowledge base can begin to build on a global basis

4. Measuring Inclusion
Measurement of inclusion should encompass several aspects and different units of analysis
These may include laws and regulations that are designed to promote inclusion
Attention could focus on:
National level measures
Community level measures
Individual level measures

5. Measuring Inclusion
The use of such measures in research can incorporate
studies at several levels:
- Case studies
- Multiple, comparative case studies
- Comparative surveys using national level data
- Intensive surveys at the individual level
- Cross-national, comparative surveys
at the individual
- Demonstration research

6. Review of Existing Approaches to Measuring Inclusion
Some promising approaches include:
- Indicators coming from the Center for the
Analysis of Social Exclusion
- Quality of Life Indicators
- The Boston Indicators
- The Freedom House Index
- Social Inclusion Indicators
- Well-being measures

7. Review of Existing Approaches to Measuring Inclusion
Objectives of these indicators vary:
They may include:
- Monitoring the performance of
communities, and nations in effort to
promote inclusion
- Assessing individual and household
experiences of inclusion/exclusion
- Assessing the extent of inclusion/exclusion
locally, nationally, and across nations

8. Review of Existing Approaches to Measuring Inclusion
The Social Exclusion/Inclusion Indicators
- Attempt to measure inclusion by means of the
five dimensions
- Indicators cover three broad categories:
economic, political, and social
- Items on each dimensions are scored to create an
index
- Each index is then subjected to a factor analysis
or Cronbach’s alpha

9. Review of Existing Approaches to Measuring Inclusion
Limitations of Indicators
The measures are numerically constrained
The measures seem to lack cultural sensitivity
- They do not adequately capture the process(es) of
social exclusion/inclusion
Measures may not be suitable for adoption
Strengths of Indicators
They have potential for broad applicability
They reflect the main areas of participation
They contain small number of items

10. Review of Existing Approaches to Measuring Inclusion
Lessons learned from approach reviewed:
The need for measures that have contextual relevance and a certain degree of universalism
Large numbers of indicators may obscure development of meaningful measures
Measures of inclusion tend to converge around key areas

11. Review of Existing Approaches to Measuring Inclusion
Challenge for social inquiry:
1) Accessible
2) Measurable
3) Robust and valid
4) Reliable
5) Comparable across cultures
6) Sensitive to cultural diversity
7) Amenable to adaptation
8) Grounded in theory
9) Relevant
10) Timely