Combining Survey and Population Data on Births and Family
Project info:
NIH grant number: R01 HD043472 (PI: Rendall, co-PI Handcock)
Dates: February 1, 2003 to January 31, 2007
Abstract:
This study's overall objective is to develop statistical methods for combining
surveys and population data collections (especially
of births and marital and non-marital unions) for the improved estimation of
these birth and childhood circumstances. The family and
socio-economic circumstances of children's parents at birth and during the
childrearing years are fundamental determinants of
children's health and well-being. Specific aims are to (1) Develop and test
statistical methods to combine multiple sources of
survey data and population data; (2) Improve estimates of the parameters of fertility and marital and non-marital union regression
equations, and of simulated life-course fertility and union duration measures;
and (3) to expand and disseminate the statistical
capabilities to the demographic community. It will be shown that combining
population and survey data in the estimation allows for
more modeling detail than when using population data alone, and more precise
estimates than when using survey data alone. Further
statistical development will allow for survey data to be combined from more
than one data set, thereby obtaining some of the same
benefits as from combining survey and population data. Methods for
incorporating degrees of inaccuracy in the population data, and
imperfect matches between the population collection and the survey's sampling
frame and collection methods, will also be developed and applied. Comparative applications of the methods between the U.S. and the
U.K. will be made to explore their advantages and
challenges over a greater range of population data collection types than
available in the U.S. alone. Applications across multiple
developed countries will demonstrate that methods for combining survey and
population data can be used to overcome the otherwise
severe restrictions placed on cross-national comparisons.