Introduction to Demographic Methods

The size, structure and dynamics of the population in which we live provide some of the most fundamental facts about our society. This course aims to give participants a practical introduction to the techniques of demography, including methods for dealing with each of the components of population change (mortality, fertility, and migration). The course will include hands-on computer workshops using the R programming language.

This course is intended as an introduction for and a companion to a related NCRM course Population Estimation and Forecasting, which will run from 7-9 April 2027. Participants may choose to attend one or both courses as their prior experience and time allows. 

The course covers: 

• Introduction to demographic measurement

• Sources of demographic data

• The life table; stable population theory

• Approaches for dealing with unreliable data

• The analysis of fertility 

• Migration estimation

By the end of the course participants will:

• Understand the basics of demographic measurement and the key sources of demographic data
• Understand and employ lifetables and the Kaplan-Meier estimator
• Understand and employ methods for the analysis of migration
• Be able to apply these approaches to a range of demographic data across different contexts and at different scales

Pre-requisites

This practical course will include workshops in the R programming language. Basic knowledge of R is a requirement. If you do not currently use R, but would still like to take the course, pre-course material will provide links to free introductory online courses to aid preparation. 

Target Audience

• The  course is of interest to anybody with an interest in quantitative methods from across disciplines (e.g. social sciences, economists etc), sectors and from across the career life-course (student, junior or senior researchers). 

The  course is particularly suited to:  

• Analysts working at or with, for example, National Statistical Offices, International Non-Governmental Organisations, and Government Departments with an interest in population estimation and projection. Examples include the ONS, the DHCLG; local and devolved government bodies; UN agencies. 

• Employees of private sector organisations who have an interest in population change:

  Consumer-focussed industries; 

  Retailers

  Market research agencies

  Utility companies

  Construction companies

• PhD students working on population-related topics including demography, population health, human geography, etc.

THIS COURSE IS BEING DELIVERED IN-PERSON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (BUILDING 39, ROOM 2015) AND WILL RUN FROM 10:00 to 17:00 ON 5 AND 6 APRIL. IT EQUATES TO TWO TEACHING DAYS FOR PAYMENT PURPOSES.