In the beginning, population research was dominated by statisticians and economists. The stress was on estimation of rates and ratios from incomplete data. With improved data and survey as the main method of research sociologists are playing a more important role than others in confronting the challenging issues of our times.

BASIC CONCEPTS IN POPULATION STUDIES

In population studies scholars study the size and composition of population. They also study various processes through which the size and composition of population change. The processes are: nuptiality or marriages; reproduction or births; mortality or deaths; migration of people from one place to another (both within a country and between different countries); and social mobility leading to changes in social stratification (primarily caused by changes in education, work and occupation). Size, composition and processes of population affect society and social institutions directly or through economic and environmental factors.

FIGURE 1.1: LINKAGE BETWEEN POPULATION, ECONOMY AND SOCIETY

The term "size" refers to the total number of people inhabiting an area. Composition refers to the classification of population according to characteristics like age, sex and marital status. Some specific characteristics of population such as urban-rural residence or geographical divisions are studied under the aegis of population distribution.