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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain the basic concepts of demography 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262517  Explain the basic concepts of demography 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Statistics 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Mathematical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of statistics. Learners would be able to contribute to a quality hierarchy of skills required to provide quality services in statistics by explaining the basic concepts of demography.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Define the basic terminology in demography and explain their role in describing populations.
  • Prepare and present demographic information.
  • Use statistical methods for demographic data. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics NQF Level 4.
  • Communication NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Define the basic terminology in demography and explain their role in describing populations. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Terminology includes but not limited to fertility, mortality, migration, life tables and nuptuality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The terms fertility, mortality, migration, life tables and nuptuality are defined to reflect their importance in describing populations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The methods used to measure migration are described to highlight their limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The social and economic impacts of migration are explained to reflect the seriousness of the phenomenon. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare and present demographic information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The general issue of correcting for differences in the age structure are discussed when comparing demographic rates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The basic standardization methods are used to compare death rates between populations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Conventions about age-grouping of demographic data are interpreted and used for presenting information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The types of breakdown of general population samples are chosen for various demographic purposes. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Use statistical methods for demographic data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reasons for studying demography are explained to reflect their importance to socio-economic conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The major sources of demographic data are identified in order to prepare for statistical processes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Major sources include but are not limited to surveys, vital registrations and census.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The population composition by sex and age structure is determined by utilising the population pyramid. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Demographic indicators are defined and their limitations are discussed to reflect their influences on socio-economic conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Demographic indicators include but are not limited to age and dependency ratios, migration, fertility and mortality.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assuror (ETQA) that has jurisdiction over this field of learning.

    The assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a relevant qualification and be a subject matter expert in this learning area and at least have 3 years experience in the skills specific area, post qualification.

    The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification:
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Assessment of a portfolio of evidence.
  • Direct observation in simulated and/or controlled work conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names, functions and locations of:
  • Computer software.
  • Graphical and tabular representations of demographic data.
  • Numerical summary statistics.
  • Demographic indicators.
  • Life tables.

    Purpose of processes and procedures of:
  • Describing populations.
  • Monitoring the social and economic impact of demographic data.
  • Decision making.

    Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
  • Migration.
  • Mortality.
  • Fertility.
  • Nuptuality.
  • Dependency ratios.

    Cause and effect, implications of:
  • The socio economic impact of demographic indicators.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Statistical methods used for demographic data.
  • Standardization methods used to compare mortality rates.
  • Conventions about age-grouping of demographic data.
  • Population pyramids.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies:
  • National Statistical Offices.
  • National Statistics Act.

    Theory, rules, laws, principles:
  • UN Fundamental Principles.
  • Basic terminology in demography.
  • Major sources of demographic data.

    Relationships, systems:
  • Between demographic indicators and socio-economic conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Explaining the basic concepts of demography. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Team work in projects.
  • Consultation with supervisor. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Preparing and presenting demographic information.
  • Planning and using appropriate statistical methods for demographic data. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • The concepts of demography.
  • The statistical methods used to analyse demographic data.
  • The impact of demographic indicators on socio-economic conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Presenting and reporting demographic information.
  • Draw meaningful conclusions in the given scenario. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Identifying the major sources of demographic data.
  • Applying different and appropriate statistical methods to describe demographic data. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • Recognising the influences of demographic indicators on the social, political, economic, legislative and environmental contexts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  65649   National Certificate: Official Statistics  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.