Coping with Time: The Use of a Local Time-Path Calendar in the Measurement of Durations

Karen Haandrikman, University of Groningen
N.V. Rajeswari, J.S.S. Institute of Economic Research

Reproductive health surveys often face difficulties in measuring age and duration. The paper uses theories about time (e.g. Hägerstrand 1988, De Bruijn 1999, Mills 2000). The time perception of respondents may result in heaping: the phenomenon that certain dates, ages or durations are over represented. Following the calendar method used in several Demographic and Health Surveys, the current research proposes an alternative method to measure durations. The aim of the method is to reduce duration heaping by using a local time-path calendar in estimating the durations of postpartum amenorrhoea, breastfeeding, postpartum abstinence, and contraceptive use, as opposed to using direct questions for determining these durations. The interviewer goes back in time with the respondent; the memory of respondents is triggered, which enables them to think in their own time system. In a survey in South India the method was tested; the findings indicate significantly less duration heaping.