Economic Indicators and Social Networks: New Approaches to Measuring Poverty, Prices, and Impacts of Technology
Economic Indicators and Social Networks: New approaches to measuring poverty, prices, and impacts of technology by Niall Carrigan Keleher A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Management and Systems in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Dr. Joshua Evan Blumenstock, Chair Dr. John Chuang Dr. Jeremy Magruder Fall 2019 1 Abstract Economic Indicators and Social Networks: New approaches to measuring poverty, prices, and impacts of technology by Niall Carrigan Keleher Doctor of Philosophy in Information Management and Systems University of California, Berkeley Dr. Joshua Evan Blumenstock, Chair Collecting data to inform policy decisions is an ongoing global challenge. While some data collection has become routine, certain populations remain dicult to reach. From targeting social protection programs in densely-populated urban areas to reaching the “last mile” of infrastructure coverage, data collection and service delivery go hand-in-hand. Understanding the populations that live in urban communities as well as remote villages can help to tailor the design, targeting, and implementation of development programs. New sources of information have the potential to improve awareness of the needs and preferences of individuals, households, and communities. The goal of this dissertation is to provide multiple vantage points on the role that data, commu- nity input, and individual preferences can play in informing development policy. The empirical investigation presented in this dissertation covers two studies in Liberia and one in the Philippines. The unifying theme of the three chapters is the exploration of new sources of information about hard-to-reach populations.
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