Zeitschriftenartikel

Software for multistate analysis

Willekens, F. J., Putter, H.
Demographic Research, 31:14, 381–420 (2014)

Abstract

BACKGROUND The growing interest in pathways, the increased availability of life-history data, innovations in statistical and demographic techniques, and advances in software technology have stimulated the development of software packages for multistate modeling of life histories. OBJECTIVE In the paper we list and briefly discuss several software packages for multistate analysis of life-history data. The packages cover the estimation of multistate models (transition rates and transition probabilities), multistate life tables, multistate population projections, and microsimulation. METHODS Brief description of software packages in a historical and comparative perspective. RESULTS During the past 10 years the advances in multistate modeling software have been impressive. New computational tools accompany the development of new methods in statistics and demography. The statistical theory of counting processes is the preferred method for the estimation of multistate models and R is the preferred programming platform. CONCLUSIONS Innovations in method, data, and computer technology have removed the traditional barriers to multistate modeling of life histories and the computation of informative life- course indicators. The challenge ahead of us is to model and predict individual life histories.
Schlagwörter: multi-state life tables, software, statistical analysis
Das Max-Planck-Institut für demografische Forschung (MPIDR) in Rostock ist eines der international führenden Zentren für Bevölkerungswissenschaft. Es gehört zur Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, einer der weltweit renommiertesten Forschungsgemeinschaften.