The project team shares a strong concern with respect to the relevance, reliability and comparability of the empirical data. Therefore, the project relies heavily on the production of primary data, which implies a strong investment in fieldwork. Data collection combines quantitative and qualitative tools.

 Fieldworks in India
 Fieldworks in Madagascar
 Fieldworks in Mexico
 Fieldworks in Morocco

Quantitative tools include questionnaire surveys and spatial econometrics. The latter is an innovative tool which combines geographical and other quantitative variables. It allows for regional level analysis and cartographic outputs. Qualitative tools include open interviews, life histories and narratives, participant observation, review of internal documentation of microfinance institutions.

In the early stage of the research process, qualitative approaches allow to strengthen and better focus the quantitative survey questionnaire, thus improving the relevance and the reliability of collected data. During the analysis stage, going back to qualitative approaches help us interpret and clarify quantitative results that might appear counter-intuitive or ambiguous.