A social scientific technique that studies a population that shares common characteristics over time. Cohort analysis usually begins at birth and traces the development of cohort members until they reach a certain age.
A study of a group of people who stay in that group over a long time. For example, all people born in 1960 are a cohort; or all students who will graduate from high school in 1999. The study follows this group over time, rather than looking at them once.
Same as Virtual Population Analysis.
Observation of the demographic behaviour of a given cohort through life, or through specific periods; for example, examining the fertility behaviour of the cohorts of women born in 1940 through their entire childbearing age. Rates derived from such a cohort analysis are cohort measures.
The observation of a cohort's demographic behaviour through life or through many periods; for example, observation of the fertility behaviour of the cohort of people born between 1970 and 1980 through their entire childbearing years. See also period analysis.
The analysis of the demographic behaviour (e.g. getting married, having children, dying) of a cohort of people over time. For example, the fertility rates of women born in 1920, 1950 and 1970 (i.e. the 1920, 1950 and 1970 birth cohorts) could be compared as they progressed through their childbearing years. (Compare with period analysis.)
Observation of a cohort's demographic behavior through life or through many periods; for example, examining the fertility behavior of the cohort of people born between 1940 and 1945 through their entire childbearing years. Rates derived from such cohort analyses are cohort measures. Compare with period analysis.
See virtual population analysis