Socioeconomic stratification by wealth ranking : is it valid?

This article is based on a study in Bangladesh in which both wealth ranking and household surveys were employed to measure household economic status. The study revealed that wealth ranking is a valid means of stratifying households according to socio-economic status. However, the article points to certain factors which may affect its reliability which need further investigation, such as the number, age and gender of key informants, the quality of facilitation and also the question as to how many households a group of key informants can reasonably classify. However, the authors stress that whilst attempting to improve the scientific worthiness of wealth ranking, it is important to remember that the great strength of the method lies in its sensitivity to local circumstances and its emphasis on local expertise and therefore it is important heed Chamber's warning against standardisation and routinisation.