Lupton, Ruth (2003) 'Neighbourhood effects': can we measure them and does it matter? CASEpaper, CASE/73. Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
Download (142Kb) | Preview
Renewed interest in disadvantaged neighbourhoods is generating increasing research activity. Current work includes qualitative community studies and quantitative investigations of area effects on individual outcomes. This paper criticises the contribution of area effects research to date. Methodological and data constraints mean that quantitative studies often operationalise a weak conception of neighbourhood that does not reflect the understanding gained from qualitative work. These constraints present a barrier to testing specific theories that might usefully inform policy, while exaggerated claims are made about the policy relevance of more generic work. The paper concludes that area effects should be accorded less significance in the broad debate on area-based policy. Multi-disciplinary work is needed to develop studies that can influence the design of specific programmes.
|Item Type:||Monograph (Discussion Paper)|
|Additional Information:||© 2003 Ruth Lupton|
|Library of Congress subject classification:||H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology|
|Journal of Economic Literature Classification System:||I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare and Poverty > I30 - General|
|Sets:||Collections > Economists Online
Research centres and groups > Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE)
|Date Deposited:||02 Jul 2008 10:34|
Actions (login required)
|Record administration - authorised staff only|