Demographic Methods 2

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Carry out basic operations on matrices and vectors, and apply basic matrix algebra to population projection problems;
• Calculate a stable population, compute and analyse the basic features and measures of the associated population dynamics;
• Construct a multiple decrement life table, eliminate or modify a cause of decrement, and calculate healthy life expectancy;
• Critically evaluate the potential biases involved in analysing event history data, and the main methods to handle these;
• Appreciate specific issues in population projections, such as small area, household and multistate projections;
• Interpret and apply parity-specific fertility measures, and appreciate current debates regarding the measurement of fertility;
• Explain and assess the use of model schedules in demography, especially in the context of missing or incomplete data;
• Demonstrate problem solving by using spreadsheets and open access demographic software for a range of demographic tasks.

Dependent and independent multiple decrement life tables and other advanced life table methods. Health expectancies. Introduction to event history analysis and birth histories; Kaplan-Meier estimator. Additional fertility measures: parity progression ratios and birth history measures. Fertility and reproduction estimated from cross-sectional or longitudinal surveys. Model age patterns and stable population theory, with applications to historical data and populations lacking complete vital statistics. Models for demographic estimation when data are incomplete or inaccurate. Selected topics in population projections. Matrix population models and the Leslie matrix. Introduction to multistate demography.

The course will be taught by lectures and extended small-group practical classes. Paper copies of the lecture slides and class exercises will be handed out at the beginning of the course. Some indicative reading is given at the end of this outline, and further sources will be mentioned in lectures.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.