Learning objectives
Being integrated with the course of Biodemography, Computer Skills is aimed at providing students with the necessary computer skills to be able to use appropriately demographic methodologies and techniques. Students learn how to manage data, calculate rates, life tables, population structure indicators and growth rate through the use of Excel and its functions. Students learns also how to construct graphs and tables. Moreover, the course aims at making students able to use some of the most common statistical tools in the field of demography, such as logistic regression, through the use of statistical package such as SPSS.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The course is integrated with Biodemography, and it is therefore based on the study and application of demographic methodologies.
In particular:
1) Excel spreadsheet: data management; Pivot tables; Use of the most common Excel functions; Construction of graphics. Calculation of rates and probabilities on population data, Indicators of population structure, construction of life-tables.
2) Applied statistics (SPSS): study of the most common statistics used in biodemography: ANOVA, chi square test, principal components, linear and logistic regression.
Full programme
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Bibliography
None
Teaching methods
Practical sessions on computer integrated with some theoretical lectures about specific statistical analysis.
Assessment methods and criteria
Presentation and discussion of an excel spreadsheet containing analyses of demographic interest.
Other information
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