New information technology: Old information habits?

Abstract

This article explains how in many developing countries valuable resources are being spent on national sample surveys that are typically only of marginal utility in the policy making context, while there are possibilities for a better return on this investment. Limitations of the survey approach are listed (e.g. costs, timeliness and issues of generalize-ability from the sample) along with the strengths and weaknesses associated with gathering information from people who utilize public agencies. The possibility to gather and utilize information from public offices for public policy is, in general, more likely to provide information that can be utilized in a more cost-effective manner in the policy making arena.