Conceptual and methodological challenges in the study of livelihood trajectories: case-studies in Eastern India and Western Nepal

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to discuss the conceptual and methodological challenges posed by Livelihood Trajectory (LT) research. The discussion concludes that the LT approach forces inclusiveness, both conceptual (respect for multiple disciplines and development paradigms) and methodological (use of both quantitative and qualitative techniques). The LT approach also demands a great respect for context, including that of the research process itself, embedded as it always is within a distinctive set of constraints Ð social, cultural, political and ®nancial. #

Adaptable livelihoods and the persistence of pastoralism: A longitudinal study of pastoral livelihood transformation in northern Kenya, Isiolo

“…Dahl's uffering grass (1979) served as the basis for this study as it enables comparison between the different contexts of 1975 and 2020. By combining Dahl's ethnographic account with ancillary data (Dahl & Sandford, 1978; Khalif, 2010; Swift & Omar, 1991) and historical event mapping through empirical fieldwork, this study establishes a baseline for longitudinal research design (Bagchi et al., 1998; Murray, 2001). It uses a multi‐site qualitative ethnographic approach to understand changes and continuities in pastoral livelihoods between 1975 and 2020.…”

“…Undertaking an ethnographic longitudinal study comparing how changes have occurred over the 45 years spanning 1975–2020 in two distinct locations within 14 months was not without obstacles. The primary challenge was the use of secondary data in longitudinal studies (Bagchi et al., 1998; Murray, 2001). Secondary data, including project reports and archival material are often subject to constraints pertaining to the timeframe, audience, and intended purpose; as such, their reliability is compromised unless supplemented by multiple sources.…”

“…A further concern of this study was to ask empirically different research questions from those posed by Dahl and engage distinct research participants over a wide span of 45 years. Thus, the research questions were open and broad, enabling participants to narrate their stories and livelihood trajectories (Bagchi et al., 1998). To ensure the reliability of the data, the researcher conducted multiple key informant interviews to ensure thorough data and participant triangulation.…”

Moving in and out of vulnerability: Interrogating migration as an adaptation strategy along a rural–urban continuum in India

“…Households for LHs were chosen purposively to capture multiple socio‐economic conditions and migration patterns. This relatively small sample size reflects our intentions: not to draw statistical conclusions about migration in India that are generalisable to all rural households in semi‐arid regions but to offer grounded insights into the “processes of livelihood change, particularly relationships between people” (Bagchi et al, , p. 466).…”

“…The LH interviews were conducted with several adult members of a household to gain insights into “livelihoods and well‐being (that) are increasingly conceptualised as partly the outcome of negotiations and bargaining between individuals with unequal power within households” (Bagchi et al, , p. 457). The interviews were open ended and focused on changes in peoples’ lives and livelihoods over 30 years, thus uncovering changing relations within and beyond the household, and the impacts of larger institutional trajectories on livelihood decisions.…”