New Approaches to Demographic Data Collection

Abstract

As population scientists have expanded the range of topics they study, increasingly considering the interrelationship between population phenomena and social, economic, and health conditions, they have expanded the kinds of data collected and have brought to bear new data collection techniques and procedures, often borrowed from other fields. These new approaches to demographic data collection are the concern of this chapter. We consider three main topics: new developments in sampling procedures; new developments in fieldwork procedures; and new developments in the kind of information collected in demographic surveys. We conclude with some comments on data sharing in the demographic research community. Where possible we illustrate our points with Chinese examples.