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Timing, sequencing and quantum of life course events: a machine learning approach

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco C. Billari

    (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany)

  • Johannes Fürnkranz
  • Alexia Prskawetz

    (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany)

Abstract

In this methodological paper we discuss and apply machine learning tech-niques, a core research area in the artificial intelligence literature, to analyse simultaneously timing, sequencing, and quantum of life course events from a comparative perspective. We outline the need for techniques which allow the adoption of a holistic approach to the analysis of life courses, illustrating the specific case of the transition to adulthood. We briefly introduce machine learning algorithms to build decision trees and rule sets and then apply such algorithms to delineate the key features which distinguish Austrian and Ital-ian pathways to adulthood, using Fertility and Family Survey data. The key role of sequencing and synchronisation between events emerges clearly from the methodology used. [AUTHORS]

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco C. Billari & Johannes Fürnkranz & Alexia Prskawetz, 2000. "Timing, sequencing and quantum of life course events: a machine learning approach," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2000-010, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:wpaper:wp-2000-010
    DOI: 10.4054/MPIDR-WP-2000-010
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Courgeau, Daniel & Lelievre, Eva, 1993. "Event History Analysis in Demography," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198287384.
    2. Alessandra De Rose & Alessandro Pallara, 1997. "Survival Trees: An Alternative Non-Parametric Multivariate Technique for Life History Analysis," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 13(3), pages 223-241, September.
    3. Lillard, Lee A., 1993. "Simultaneous equations for hazards : Marriage duration and fertility timing," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 56(1-2), pages 189-217, March.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Isaure Delaporte & Hill Kulu & Andrew Ibbetson, 2025. "Analysing migrant fertility using machine learning techniques: An application of random survival forest to longitudinal data from France," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 53(21), pages 629-660.
    2. Arnstein Aassve & Francesco C. Billari & Raffaella Piccarreta, 2007. "Strings of Adulthood: A Sequence Analysis of Young British Women’s Work-Family Trajectories," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 23(3), pages 369-388, October.
    3. Luca Maria Pesando & Nicola Barban & Maria Sironi & Frank F. Furstenberg, 2021. "A Sequence‐Analysis Approach to the Study of the Transition to Adulthood in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 47(3), pages 719-747, September.
    4. Marco Bonetti & Raffaella Piccarreta & Gaia Salford, 2013. "Parametric and Nonparametric Analysis of Life Courses: An Application to Family Formation Patterns," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 50(3), pages 881-902, June.
    5. repec:jss:jstsof:40:i04 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Francesco Billari & Raffaella Piccarreta, 2005. "Analyzing Demographic Life Courses through Sequence Analysis," Mathematical Population Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(2), pages 81-106.
    7. Mitrofanova, Ekaterina S. & Artamonova, Alyona V., 2016. "Studying Family Formation Trajectories’ Deinstitutionalization in Russia Using Sequence Analysis," MPRA Paper 82877, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Jolene Tan & Shao-Tzu Yu, 2024. "A life course perspective: women’s childhood background and family formation trajectories in low-fertility South Korea," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 1-16, June.
    9. John Levi Martin & James P. Murphy, 2021. "Some Methods for the Analysis of Event Sequence Data from Multiple Respondents," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 50(3), pages 1321-1352, August.
    10. Nicola Barban, 2013. "Family Trajectories and Health: A Life Course Perspective [Trajectoires familiales et santé: une approche sous l’angle de parcours de vie]," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 29(4), pages 357-385, November.
    11. Montorsi, Carlotta & Fusco, Alessio & Van Kerm, Philippe & Bordas, Stéphane P.A., 2024. "Predicting depression in old age: Combining life course data with machine learning," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    12. Silke Aisenbrey & Anette E. Fasang, 2010. "New Life for Old Ideas: The "Second Wave" of Sequence Analysis Bringing the "Course" Back Into the Life Course," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 38(3), pages 420-462, February.

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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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