Epistemology, Normative Theory and Poverty Analysis: Implications for Q-Squared in Practice Ravi Kanbur Cornell University Email: sk145@cornell.edu Paul Shaffer University of Toronto Email: P.Shaffer@utoronto.ca Click here to download working paper

Abstract
The turn to the use of mixed qualitative and quantitative (Q-Squared) methods in the analysis of poverty is a welcome development with large potential payoffs. While the benefits of mixing are not in doubt, the tensions involved in so doing have not received adequate attention. The aim of this paper is to address this gap in the “Q-Squared” literature. It argues that there are important differences between approaches to poverty which operate at the levels of epistemology and normative theory. These differences have implications for the numerical transformation of data, the selection of validity criteria, the conception/dimension of poverty adopted and interpersonal comparisons of well-being.