Insights and Challenges of Integrated Small-Scale Longitudinal Surveys in Rural Areas of the Global South

Arnaud Natal and Christophe Nordman

Working Papers from HAL

Abstract: Since the early 2000s, alongside the growing quantitative turn in economics, new data collection instruments have emerged in the tradition of village studies -namely, integrated small-scale surveys. This article conceptualises these types of surveys. Integrated small-scale surveys combine detailed, longitudinal, and multi-level data collection. They capture the complexity of rural dynamics while maintaining methodological flexibility and contextual depth. Drawing on six case studies in Asia and Africa, this article illustrates how these surveys enrich development research with granular and multidimensional information. Despite their advantages, they face persistent challenges in terms of data representativeness, longitudinal management, technical complexity, and promotion and openness to the community. The article calls for greater recognition of these surveys as key tools for understanding rural transformation in Southern countries.

Keywords: Village studies; micro-level data; rural development; livelihoods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-03
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05575021v1
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