Regional disparities in social development: A case of selected districts in Kerala, India

Developing a methodological framework for capturing regional disparities in social development

“…Selection of variables or indicators is an essential process of inequality studies, especially those belonging to the second typology of social inequality, which uses several variables to capture development status. However, the majority of studies in inequality research selected the variables either from existing national/local databases or through literature surveys, which were finalized through an expert opinion survey (Aneja, 2013; Boeckhout & McClements, 2010; Kallingal & Firoz C, 2017a, 2022; Naidu, 2000; Rana et al, 2020; Sam & Chakma, 2016; Soares et al, 2003). Owing to the non‐availability of varied methods for variable selection in the inequality research, a literature search was carried out in other fields, such as environment, sustainable development and health.…”

“…Similarly, current research suggested using PCA in inequality studies, which used several variables and a large population/sample size for composite index creation, with an objective of component‐wise interpretation and exploring variations in sub‐indicators (Aneja, 2013; Ayyoob & Krishnadas, 2016; Kallingal, 2017; Kallingal & Firoz C, 2017a, 2022; Odoi et al, 2005; Sruthi Krishnan & Firoz C, 2020; Vyas & Kumaranayake, 2006). PCA explains the variance of the observed data (say, for example, Z variables‐ x 1 , x 2 , x 3 ….…”

“…Current research recommended using cluster analysis in studies with several variables to classify cases into homogenous groups in inequality research. It was the best suited when the objective of the study was to enable region‐specific or sector‐specific interpretations (Dutta & Das, 2019; Hong et al, 2013; Kallingal & Firoz C, 2022; Odoi et al, 2005; Ojo et al, 2013; Soares et al, 2003; Vyas & Kumaranayake, 2006; Yang & Hu, 2008) Cluster analysis is another dimension reduction technique, which is a collection of algorithms that classifies a set of variables on the basis of the similarities/dissimilarities between cases (Massart & Kaufman, 1983; Nardo et al, 2005).…”

“…Regional disparities are a global concern and perceived diversely in different regions. These inequalities occur among countries of macro‐regions, states within countries, districts within states and even local areas within districts (Kallingal & Firoz C, 2022). For easier comparison, most of these countries used global or national indicators to capture these inequalities (Boeckhout & McClements, 2010; ETUC and ETUI, 2011; Held & Kaya, 2007; Kallingal & Firoz C, 2022; NITI Aayog, 2018, 2019; Piacentini, 2014; Planning Commission Government of India, 2013; UN DESA, 2005).…”

“…Since such global indicators used a limited number of variables for ease of comparison, these might not capture the actual development status of the region. Nevertheless, few studies attempted to explore the inequalities by constructing indices with the use of variables or indicators (Aneja, 2013; Bělohradský & Glocker, 2019; Fernando et al, 2012; Greyling, 2013; Kallingal & Firoz C, 2017a, 2022; Krishnan, 2010; Odoi et al, 2005; Rana et al, 2017; Sam & Chakma, 2016; Soares et al, 2003; Vargas‐Chanes & Valdés‐Cruz, 2019; Vyas & Kumaranayake, 2006; Xie & Dutt, 1991). Likewise, current research focussed on developing a methodological framework to capture inequalities in social development using indicators.…”