This text investigates the logistical and methodological challenges inherent in gathering accurate statistical data within the unique socio-economic environments of developing nations. D. J. Casley, drawing on extensive experience in international development and field research, provides a framework for designing surveys that account for limited infrastructure, diverse cultural contexts, and resource constraints. The book argues that standard Western data collection models often require significant adaptation to remain valid and actionable in non-industrialized settings.

Experts in development economics and field research identify this as a foundational manual for practitioners working in the Global South. Readers frequently note the practical, hands-on nature of the advice, which prioritizes field-tested solutions over abstract theoretical models.