title: The World Fertility Survey:  an appraisal of methodology.
abstract: "In the first half of the article, a broad account of content and procedures is given.  In conduct of individual surveys, the achievements of the World Fertility Survey were based on thoroughness rather than technical superiority. The later aspects of the program, including analysis, archiving, and data dissemination, were more innovative and represent models of excellence for similar future enquiries.  In overall terms, the program is judged to be an expensive success.  In the second half of the article, two methodological issues are discussed in more detail:  the collection of retrospective birth histories and the translation of survey instruments into local languages."  Comments by Anthony G. Turner (pp. 768-9), Kweku T. de Graft-Johnson (pp. 769-70), Burton Singer (pp. 771-2), and Joel E. Cohen (pp. 772-4) are appended.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Verma
mesh_terms: D001723:Birth Rate; D003142:Communication; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005298:Fertility; D007802:Language; D008722:Methods; D011153:Population; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012106:Research; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic
keywords: Communication; Critique; Data Analysis; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Evaluation; Fertility; Fertility Measurements; Fertility Surveys; Language; Methodological Studies; Population; Population Dynamics; Research Methodology; Retrospective Studies; Studies; World Fertility Surveys