Demographic Data and Techniques

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
SOCI 2002
Course ID icon
Course ID
201029
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
2
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
alt
Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course aims to provide students with knowledge of fundamental concepts and methods for demographic and socio-economic data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. It intends to cover essential topics that will enable students to analyse demographic data, including measurement, data collection, exploratory data analysis, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics (especially hypothesis testing, correlation, regression analysis), and graphical procedures. Computer-based practical workshops provide hands-on training and skills in data analysis, interpretation, and results-writing.

Course learning outcomes

  • Understand basic concepts, methods, and techniques for primary and secondary data collection and how they can be used in population and migration studies
  • Develop skills in analysing and interpreting demographic and socio-economic data, primarily the Australian Census of Population and Housing, migration and labour force data, to competently present data and analysis results using tables and graphs
  • Calculate descriptive statistics, inferential statistics (including hypothesis testing and regression analysis of census and/or survey data using SPSS software), and derive insights into research questions from the data analysis
  • Develop solid skills in selecting the appropriate methods and techniques for various types of data analysis, presenting and interpreting results of data analysis with high-level written skills
  • Develop an awareness of the social applications of geographical information systems (GIS) in mapping and interpreting spatial variations in demographic, socio-economic, and environmental data

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A