NCRM_sequence_analysis

Introduction to sequence analysis for social sciences

20-21 January 2022

Summary

The course gives an introduction to the theoretical and practical concepts of sequence analysis for social sciences. Sequence analysis, originally developed in biology to analyse strings of DNA, has attracted increasing attention in the social sciences for the analysis of longitudinal data. Most applications in the social sciences study life course processes, such as labour market careers, educational careers, or family formation. During the short course, we will discuss the usefulness of sequence analysis in applied social sciences as a holistic approach to investigate timing, quantum and sequencing of life course events. We will consider the practical implementation of these methods using available data. Concepts covered include the statistical representations of categorical time series, measures of sequence dissimilarity (i.e., Optimal Matching Algorithm); patterns identification in life course trajectories; classification techniques; criticisms to sequence analysis and new developments.

Schedule

Day 1 (20/01/2022)

9:00-11:00 Zoom link

Slides I

(break 15 minutes)

Slides II

14:00-16:00 (Lab session) Zoom link

Code Lab I

Data

Day 2 (21/01/2022)

9:00-10:00 Zoom link

Slides III

Barban (2013) Family Trajectories and Health: A Life Course Perspective. European Journal of Population

Pesando et al. (2021) A Sequence-Analysis Approach to the Study of the Transition to Adulthood in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Population and Development Review

14:00-16:00 (Lab session) Zoom link

Code Lab II

Computer software

Online references

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  22. Luca Maria Pesando, Maria Sironi, Nicola Barban, Frank F Furstenberg (2021) A Sequence-Analysis Approach to the Study of the Transition to Adulthood in Low-and Middle-Income Countries Population Development Review
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