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Demographic Analysis

Sinha, V . C. and E. Zach aria’ Elements of Demography
allied Publishers Private Limited, New Dehli (1984) Page: 34-38

Some Basic Concepts of Demographic Ana1yis

1. Observation

Demographic facts and figures are assembled on. the basis of. the- observation of individuals and groups. Observations are conducted with naked eye -on the course of events which are opened. to conflicting influences acting concurrently. Observation can be of different types.
Human . beings are the’ objects of- observation. On whom controlled experiment is not possible as in physical sciences. The sense in which experiment is -possible in demographic study is that different populations can be studied at the same time and the same population ‘can be studied at different times. Observation requires sufficient skill, knowledge, expertise and judgment. Slight neglect or biased view can result in misleading conclusions. Demographic facts cannot have mathematical precision because of the intervention of exogenous factors. Changes taking place with time -and group cannot be properly observed, and quantified.

2. Relative Number

Students of population will be interested in collecting facts and establishing relations between sets of data and find out ratios and rates. Both ratios and rates - are relative figures and express a relation between two or more numbers. It is commonly felt that relative numbers are more useful or better than absolute numbers. But this opinion is not correct for all times and in all cases.
In certain cases absolute numbers can be more useful than relative numbers. Absolute numbers are raw data of population. Where comparison is indispensable or useful, relative numbers are’ needed, or-else absolute numbers can serve, the purpose.

3.Rates,
Rates ate used to observe demographic figures in a meaningful way Birth rates, death rates, marriage rites, etc , are used in demographic studies. Some of the Important: demographic rates are as’...