Module overview
The module will cover a range of more advanced methods of demographic analysis, including multiple decrement life tables, health expectancies, an introduction to event history analysis, the use of type 1 and type 2 rates in demography and sources of bias in event history data, parity-specific measurement, empirical and relational model life tables, models for age patterns, stable population theory, the cohort-component method and other selected topics in population projections, selected topics in migration, as well as elements of linear algebra and matrix models of population dynamics.
Linked modules
Prerequisites: DEMO6030 OR DEMO6028
Aims and Objectives
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;
- Apply the uniregional cohort-component method to compute your own population projection.
- Analyse and critically assess basic features of migration and different ways of including it in projections, including multiregional;
- Appreciate specific issues in population projections, such as uncertainty, small area, household and multistate projections;
- Construct a multiple decrement life table, eliminate or modify a cause of decrement, and calculate healthy life expectancy;
- Interpret and apply parity-specific fertility measures, and evaluate current debates regarding the measurement of fertility;
- Critically evaluate potential biases involved in analysing event history data, and apply selected methods to handle these;
- Explain and assess the use of model schedules in demography, especially in the context of missing or incomplete data;
- Calculate a stable population, compute and analyse the basic features and measures of the associated population dynamics;
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate problem solving by using spreadsheets and open access demographic software for a range of demographic tasks.
Syllabus
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 data. Model age patterns and stable population theory, with applications to historical data and populations lacking complete vital statistics through indirect methods. Models for demographic estimation when data are incomplete or inaccurate. Cohort-component projections and other selected topics in population projections. Selected topic in migration modelling. Matrix population models and the Leslie matrix. Introduction to multistate demography.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The course will be taught by lectures and extended small-group practical classes. Depending on demand, paper or electronic copies of the lecture slides and class exercises may 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.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 25 |
| Independent Study | 125 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Siegel, J.S. (2002). Applied Demography: applications to business, government, law and public policy. San Diego: Elsevier.
Rowland, D. (2003). Demographic Methods and Concepts. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Preston, S.H., Heuveline, P. and Guillot, M. (2001). Demography: Measuring and Modelling Population Processes. Oxford: Blackwell.
Siegel, J.S., and Swanson, D.A. (2004). The Methods and materials of demography. San Diego: Elsevier.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 30% |
| Exam | 70% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Exam | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External