From the reviews:
"This book represents a pioneer demographic synthesis of the intricacies and richness of multilevel analysis of retrospective, cross-sectional, longitudinal, or event history data. It should help readers' better grasp of key features of multilevel regression. Specific linear, nonlinear and survival models and their corresponding mathematical and statistical equations are presented in a straightforward manner by avoiding unnecessary technical details that could sidetrack some readers. This should allow for quick comparisons by readers and help them to conceptualise and understand better multilevel analysis. This book is primarily targeted at social science scientists, students and scholars interested in population investigation. I have no doubt that individuals who are interested in learning multilevel modelling will find this book to be an invaluable asset.
... Courgeau's volume is a neatly written book on mathematical and statistical applications in population studies that I have no hesitation recommending for advanced training and research in demography as well as for scholars unfamiliar with multilevel modelling. It firmly establishes what we have been advocating in classrooms and research settings, namely that mathematical statistics married with theoretical and empirical representation of population processes is a necessary ingredient for widening the frontiers of demography as a discipline." (Barthelemy Kuate-Defo, University of Montreal, Canada in the European Journal of Population)
"The book displays the following strengths:
- Consistency: The author has achieved coherence and perfect homogeneity.
- Mathematical exactness: Each of the numerous models is expressed mathematically; the consequences of each model are clearly presented, also in mathematical language. This removes all ambiguity regarding the substance of the issues raised.
- Usefulness: The author uses ten examples drawn from different surveys-in particular, migration surveys-to apply each method and model described. The same "concrete examples" thus recur in several chapters, treated with successive methods. The data tables are provided, as well as the statistical parameters to show how the model fits the data. In every respect, this volume offers a perfect example of what mathematical social science should be: data and questions about them; mathematical formalization; application of the model, with the statistical apparatus required to appreciate the relevance of the theory. In addition, an abundance of very clear charts and tables allows the reader, or the student, to follow the whole process in great detail.
- Historical aspect: Demography and its methods have a history that is always present in the volume, each step in the development of methods being explained by the previous steps. The last chapter discusses future prospects, notably as regards new data sources to be established.
In its present form, this volume will serve henceforth as the reference book on multilevel analysis [...]. As such, it should be found in every library on social science methodology and statistics." (Translated excerpt of a book review (in French) in Mathematics and Social Sciences, by Marc Barbut, Editor)
"On the one hand it a textbook, and on the other it constitutes an assessment of multilevel analysis which tackles one of the major problems of demography and sociology: how analysis at the individual and group levels can be integrated. Indeed one of the aims of this textbook is to demonstrate how a multilevel approach can resolve some of the contradictions that have become apparent in the evolution of demographic thought and achieve a synthesis of the different approaches employed." (Genus, Antonio Golini, Editor)
"This manuscript will yield a consummate book-the outco
