Sources of Demographic Data - Case Study Example

Sources of Demographic Data Demography is the study that corresponds to the statistical determination of human population. It may be conducted on general scientific grounds to determine the dynamics of population including changes of the same population over time and space as well as determination of spatial or temporal changes or both. Therefore, demographics entail the study of population size, distribution, and structure. Notably, the changes in population are usually pegged on birth, death, and migration. However, to specific extent the study of the same population usually stretches to determine the aging in the society. Moreover, the demographic analysis may also encompass nationality, religion, education, and ethnicity (Murdock, 2006). All these elements are usually vital for the government for planning on different government developmental issues. Nonetheless, all the demographic data that are used in the analysis of population and its structure are usually obtained through numerous sources including census, administrative records, and surveys. Population census is a collective process that used to collect, evaluate, analyze, compile, and publish data; otherwise, it is the disseminating demographics, social and economic data within a specific time to all persons in a country or within a well delimited section or part of a country. Census usually involves collection of data concerning every person within a set of living quarters in the whole country or part of a country. It usually allow estimates for small population and geographic or subpopulation to be used in the final tally (Murdock, 2006). Census processes are usually vital for their bass population figures that usually used to calculate fundamental rates especially from the civil registration data. It also supplies sample surveys with sample frames. Additionally, censuses are usually vital for securing legislation requirements, political funding and supports, as well listing and mapping all the households. Therefore, census usually has structured steps including formulation of questionnaires that include all the areas of interest including age, sex, education, ethnicity, nationality, household information, and profession among other areas of interest. It is worth noting that census processes are usually complex and expensive. Moreover, not all information can be gathered using a single census period; thus, the questionnaires of any census period are usually designed different in light of what the final users of the data are interested on. Nonetheless, regardless of the fact that different nations have different ways of conducting their census, the final data from each county’s census must contain information that is comparable internationally (Murdock, 2006). Notably, many countries usually conduct census along with sample enumeration. This method is considered cost effective and also helps in gathering detailed information especially by including additional topics to the population sample. The sample enumeration usually applies facilities and infrastructure that are already available for the census process. Intercensal household survey is another means through which population data can be collected. Its main advantage is that it allows collection of detailed data on economic, social, and housing characteristics that can never be achieved through census processes. Additionally, the household based surveys are usually the most flexible means of data collection for population analysis processes. Notably, they are sure means of examining detailed subjects and providing timely information especially about the merging social and economic issues (The University of Akron, 2001). Moreover, they add experiences and increase ability of field and house technical staff as well as maintaining resources that have once been developed including sample frames, maps, infrastructures, field operation, and capabilities of data processing. The commonly known household surveys include specialized surveys, multi subject surveys, longitudinal or panel surveys, and specialized survey. It should be noted that each of these surveys is vital for certain types of data collection needs. The main advantage of household surveys is that they may be costly particularly for countries that have not initiated such programs. Administrative records are also means through which population statistics can be compiled. These data sets are usually obtained from different administrative processes. They contain among others vital event records in a civil registration system including education statistics usually obtained from school records, employment statistics, and health statistics particularly from hospital records among other records (The University of Akron, 2001). The usefulness and reliability of these statistical records depend on coverage completeness and the concept of compatibility as well as definition and classification in line with data used in census. The administrative records are considered as by administrative processes products; however, they are valuable complimentary data sources for surveys and censuses. Therefore, it is worth noting that administrative records cannot be used singly as source of demographic data, since they may not provide enough information for demographic analyses in terms of population characteristics and size. Additionally, some countries are using comprehensive civil registration systems as their means of demographic data. The civil registration forms a fundamental legal system for establishing privileges and rights of individuals of a country. Therefore, nation that comprehensively maintains civil registration use the same data as vital statistics since with reasonable completeness it provides comprehensive statistics on birth, marriage, death, and divorce among other social and economic information. Therefore, civil registration information can be developed into vital central population register (CPR) (Murdock, 2006). Moreover, it is worth noting that this register can be updated continuously. Notably, the United Nations has since supported the development and improvement of this form of registration especially in developing countries. However, it is worth stating the civil registration processes are quite expensive; however, it can achieved easily when it is supported by the government and its population particularly on legal basis. United States have since involved itself in numerical census since 1790 a process that it conducts among other countries after every ten year. It should be noted that United States government obtains its numerical and non-numerical population data through all the above discussed demographic data sources. However, such demographic data are usually bound to non-sampling and sampling errors. The non-sampling errors include content and coverage errors. The coverage errors are attributed for by dual system estimation (DSE) and demographic analysis (DA) (The University of Akron, 2001). On the other hand, sampling error is realized when there is difference in the characteristics in the sample population and actual population. Nonetheless, the sampling error can be controlled by comparing the levels of errors across groups or demographic areas (Murdock, 2006). Accuracy of data especially demographic data is usually fundamental especially for effective social-economic planning; therefore, persons responsible for demographic data collections must ensures that all errors are minimized as possible or eliminated completely. References Murdock, S. H. (2006). Demographics: A guide to methods and data sources for media, business, and government. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers. The University of Akron. (2001). American Library Association: Sources of Demographic Data on the Web. Retrieved February 1, 2014, from http://www.ala.org/magirt/publicationsab/demdata. Read More