Quantitative analysis

Abstract

This chapter considers the value of quantitative analysis to critical agrarian studies. It recognises the concerns of researchers and discusses how statistical analysis can be misused. Recognising these issues, it argues that quantitative methods do provide a consistent and potentially transparent framework of analysis and, when the data used is made available, the opportunity to check the results independently. To illustrate the concerns and opportunities, the debate over the use of quantitative analysis within Marxist political economy is discussed. Finally, some guidelines are presented: a set of questions that any quantitative researcher should ask if they are to do useful work. If quantitative analysis is to be done it needs to be done well.