Page 154 - IJPS-11-6

International Journal of
Population Studies Urban poverty framework for B40 in Malaysia

to meet my household needs,” while another stated, “I have accessibility challenges often encountered in digital or self-
access to stable and reliable job opportunities in my area.” administered surveys.
In addition, experts in the socio-economic field were The questionnaire took approximately 10 – 15 min
consulted during the development process to validate to complete. This method ensured the accuracy of the
the instrument, ensuring its reliability and usability. data obtained and allowed the enumerator to provide
The validation involved expert reviews to assess content clarification if respondents encountered confusion during
alignment with the study’s objectives, followed by a pilot test the session. Researchers used the Statistical Package for
with 10 participants from the target population to evaluate the Social Sciences software (SPSS; version 27.0, IBM,
clarity and relevance. Feedback obtained from both the United States) to analyze the data, identifying significant
experts and the pilot test was incorporated into the final patterns and relationships among the studied variables
design through iterative revisions. The tailored nature of this through descriptive analysis. This approach enabled
questionnaire allowed it to capture the unique challenges the study to provide a detailed description of the urban
and circumstances of the B40 community in urban settings. poverty situation among the B40 group, particularly in
PPR Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur.
2.3. Data collection procedure
Data collected through the questionnaire were analyzed
A total of 334 respondents were surveyed in this study. using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were utilized to examine
Data collection was conducted using a face-to-face the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the
method involving five trained enumerators to administer B40 HoHs in PPR Kerinchi. This approach enabled the
questionnaires to each randomly selected HoH. The data identification of key patterns and relationships essential
collection took place over 6 weeks, from June 1, 2023, to for developing the responsive urban poverty framework.
July 15, 2023, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the For instance, frequencies and percentages were used to
study population. Each enumerator was responsible for summarize employment status, income levels, and other
approximately 67 respondents, completing an average of critical variables, providing a comprehensive profile of the
5 – 6 interviews/day. study population.
Before the commencement of the questionnaire session, The choice of descriptive statistics aligns with the
respondents were briefed on the purpose and content of study’s primary objective: to develop a practical and
the study, including the nature of the questions. Special responsive urban poverty framework for addressing
emphasis was placed on ensuring respondents understood urban poverty. Inferential statistical techniques, such
the voluntary nature of their participation. as regression analysis or analysis of variance, were not
Respondents were provided with a clear explanation incorporated as the research did not aim to test specific
of the study’s objectives and given the opportunity to ask hypotheses or establish causal relationships. Instead, the
questions before proceeding. If they agreed to participate, focus was on exploring and categorizing the dimensions of
they were asked to provide informed consent. The urban poverty to inform policy and intervention strategies
process ensured that respondents could opt out at any effectively.
time without any penalties. In addition, respondents were Future research could incorporate inferential statistical
assured of the confidentiality and anonymity of their methods to validate the framework further and examine
responses, with all data securely stored and used solely causal linkages among variables, ensuring a broader
for research purposes. application of the findings.
All respondents received a token of appreciation for
their time and effort, regardless of whether they completed 3. Results
the entire questionnaire. Enumerators also emphasized that 3.1. Actions taken by vulnerable groups to address
respondents were not obligated to answer any questions urban poverty
they found uncomfortable.
This section evaluates the demographic characteristics of
The face-to-face method was chosen for its ability respondents, including age, gender, education level, income,
to reduce response errors, particularly given the study’s and marital status, to provide deeper insights into the factors
focus on a vulnerable population. This approach allowed influencing the B40 group in PPR Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur.
enumerators to clarify questions in real-time and build By analyzing this demographic data, the study identifies the
trust with respondents, especially when discussing key actions and strategies respondents use to confront the
sensitive topics related to urban poverty. It also minimized multifaceted challenges of urban poverty.

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 148 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.6558