Assessing socio-economic status (SES) involves evaluating an individual or family’s social and economic standing within a given society. While there is no single definitive test to measure SES, researchers and practitioners often use a combination of objective indicators and self-reported information. Here are some commonly used approaches and tools:
- Occupational Prestige Scales: These scales assess the social standing or prestige associated with different occupations. Examples include the Duncan Socioeconomic Index (SEI) and the Nam-Powers-Boyd Socioeconomic Index (N-P-B SES). These scales assign scores to occupations based on factors such as income, education, and social status.
- Income and Wealth Measures: Assessing income and wealth levels is a common component of SES evaluation. This typically involves self-reporting or obtaining objective data on household income, assets, and financial resources.
- Educational Attainment: Educational attainment is often considered an important indicator of socio-economic status. Assessing the highest level of education completed by individuals or their parents can provide insights into their socio-economic position.
- Neighborhood or Area-Level Indicators: In some cases, researchers may use area-level indicators, such as census data or neighborhood characteristics, to approximate SES. These indicators can include average income, education levels, and housing conditions within a particular geographic area.
- Composite Measures: Some researchers use composite measures that combine multiple indicators of SES into a single score or index. These indices consider factors such as education, income, occupation, and other relevant variables to provide a comprehensive measure of socio-economic status.
It’s important to note that the choice of SES assessment methods depends on the specific research or practical objectives. Researchers often combine multiple indicators to capture the multi-dimensional nature of socio-economic status. Additionally, cultural and contextual factors should be considered to ensure that assessments are relevant and meaningful across different populations and settings.
When using SES assessment tools, it is crucial to maintain sensitivity and respect for individuals’ privacy and potential discomfort discussing financial and social matters. Confidentiality and ethical considerations should be upheld during data collection, analysis, and reporting.
List of Socio-Economic Status Tests (Indian)
| S.No | Title of the Test | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Socio-Economic Status Rating Scale | S. Narain Rao |
| 02 | Socio-Economic Status Scale Questionnaire (SESSQ-Urban) (Hindi) | S. Jalota, R.N. Pandey, S.D. Kapoor & R.N. Singh |
| 03 | Socio-Economic Status Scale Questionnaire (SESSQ-Urban) | S.D. Kapoor & H.C. Kocher |
| 04 | Socio-Economic Status Scale Questionnaire (SESSQ-Urban) (Hindi) | S.Jalota, R.N. Pandey, S.D. Kapoor & R.N. Singh |
| 05 | Socio-Economic Status Scale (Urban) (Hindi Version form B) | B. Kuppuswamy |
| 06 | Socio-Economic Status Scale (Urban) (Hindi) | G.P. Srivastava |
| 07 | Socio-Economic Status Scale (Urban) (Hindi) Form A & B | S.P. Kulshrestha |
| 08 | Socio-Economic Status Scale (Hindi) (Rural) | S.P. Kulshrestha |
| 09 | Socio-Economic Status Scale | R.L. Bhardwaj, Shama Gupta & N.S. Chauhan |
| 10 | Socio-Economic Status Scale (Rural) (Hindi) | R.A. Singh & S.K. Saxena |
| 11 | Socio-Economic Status Scale (Urban) (Hindi) | R.A. Singh & S.K. Saxena |
| 12 | Social Class Evaluation Scale (Urban) (Hindi) | R.N. Pandey |
| 13 | Socio-Economic Status Scale (Rural) | Udai Pareek |
| 14 | Socio-Economic Status Scale (Rural) | R. Pareek |
| 15 | Scale for Assessing Social Disadvantage | Manju Sinha |
| 16 | Socio-Economic Status Scale | Rajeev Bharadwaj |
| 17 | Socio-Economic Schedule | T.S. Sodhi |
| 18 | Kakkar Socio Economic Status Scale | S.B. Kakkar |
| 19 | Scale for Assessing Social Disadvantage | A.S. Gupta |
| 20 | Prolonged Deprivation Scale | G. Mishra and L.B. Tripathi |
| 21 | Family Scale | P. Bhatnagar and M.R. Rastogi |
| 22 | Self-expression Inventory | R.P. Verma and U. Upadhyaya |
