Access to and Control over Household Resources: A Consistency Check Using Gender Analysis and Household Survey Data

Abstract

A study was conducted during 1998 covering three Village Development Committees (VDCs) of
Chitwan district, Nepal, to examine the consistency of results if carried out independently using
formal and informal methods of information collection. Gender analysis (access and control
profiles), and a face-to-face household survey (n = 123 households) were employed for this
purpose. Gender differences in access to and control over household resources was studied.
Results showed a consistent response from both household survey and gender analysis for most
of the parameters studied, such as access to agriculture extension and veterinary services,
participation in training, and community work. Gender response for control over resources, such
as income from small animals was also similar from both methods. However, some of the
parameters were not consistent in response. For example, there was no participation of women in
control over income from cash crops and cereal crops and large animals as strongly indicated by
gender analysis, which was not visible in the case of household survey. This raises a question
about the reliability of using only one approach of information collection for rural development
research. On the basis of these results, we suggest a combine approach of quantitative and
qualitative methods of data collection, which could be more reliable, informative and
appropriate. The use of multiple methods also allows the researcher to cross-reference in order to
validate the trustworthiness of information.

Key words: Gender analysis; household survey; triangulation

DOI: 10.3126/narj.v7i0.1875

Nepal Agriculture Research Journal Vol.7 2006 pp.98-102