Statistics in the Context of National Development

This book addresses three distinct issues related to development, which is a complex multi-dimensional process that will continue to affect the thoughts and actions of people worldwide. These are issues of definition, the need for narratives and intelligible analysis based on authenticated data, and the challenges of politically or ideologically motivated narratives and simplistic conclusions. Against this background, this book focuses on the uses of statistics, both as data, and as a scientific method in a data-based study, in the context of Development. It emphasises methods which can be used to improve quantification of development efforts, and comparability of different measures of development. It is designed for development workers and researchers, aiming to provide better inputs to development planning, and more useful outcome measures for development programmes and projects.