population size
Let an agent handle counts of inhabitants by place, geographic boundaries, residence definition, data source, date and uncertainty, avoiding comparisons across incompatible definitions.
Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled
4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions
Population Which population.
Definition
Who counts.
Definition
Population definition.
- Which population is being counted, and how is membership defined? definition
- For which area and date? provenance
Figure
Count.
Figure
Population figure.
- What is the population size, according to which source? measurement
- Is it a count or an estimate? boundary
Methods Estimation.
Census
Full counts.
Census
Census.
- When was the last census, and how complete was it? provenance
- How are undercounts handled? definition
Estimate
Surveys and models.
Estimate
Estimates.
- How was the estimate produced, and what is its uncertainty? measurement
- Which model was used? provenance
Comparison Consistency.
Compare
Like with like.
Compare
Comparisons.
- Are the populations defined the same way? boundary
- Are the dates comparable? boundary
Trends
Change.
Trends
Trends.
- How has the population changed over time? measurement
- What drives the change? provenance
Applications Uses.
Research
Sample size.
Research
Sample size.
- Is the study sample size adequate for its conclusions? boundary
- How was it calculated? measurement
Wildlife
Species counts.
Wildlife
Wildlife populations.
- What is the estimated population of this species, and how was it surveyed? provenance
- What does it mean for its conservation status? provenance
Classifiers Filled
- Family
- Thing Registry
- Category
- Cross-cutting context
- Entry kind
- thing
- Plane
- XCT
- Domain
- XCT.QTY
- Other names and narrower kinds
- low risk group, number of speakers, number of eligible voters, number of participants
What it is Filled
The number of inhabitants of a given place at a specified reference date, determined by a census or estimated using surveys, administrative records or modelling, with the place's boundaries and the definition of inhabitant stated.
Why it exists Filled
Let an agent handle counts of inhabitants by place, geographic boundaries, residence definition, data source, date and uncertainty, avoiding comparisons across incompatible definitions.
Distinguishing features Filled
- Population size counts the inhabitants of a given place.
- The count depends on geographic boundaries and the definition of inhabitant.
- Population size changes over time.
- Population size is often estimated.
What robots and AI may and may not do Filled
Must not
- Present an estimate as an exact count or mix figures from incompatible sources.
- Use small-population data in a way that identifies individuals.
- Inflate or deflate population figures to support a claim.
Only with a human decision
- Using population figures to allocate seats or funds requires human review.
May
- Report population figures with their source, date and method of estimation.
- Explain uncertainty in census counts and estimates of a place's inhabitants.
Moral aspects Filled
- Counts decide representation and resources; undercounts harm already marginalised groups.
- Data on small groups can expose them to discrimination.
Who is affected
- Undercounted communities are affected.
- Residents whose information contributes to counts or estimates are affected.
- Communities whose representation or resources depend on population figures are affected.
Owners Filled
Steward
The body responsible for counting or estimating inhabitants, such as a national statistical office.
Master systems
- Censuses and population registers maintain records of inhabitants.
Links to other meta-models Filled
parent
- Q614112 - registry parent class
related
- number of entities - category
- census and survey - methods
- population density - measure
- statistics - field
What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled
Identity and identifiers required Filled
- Vercy registry: vr.tr.population-size
- Wikidata: Q1613416 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1613416)
Direct properties not applicable Not applicable
Not applicable
Plane XCT: no invented physical properties.
Recognition optional Filled
- Counts with reference dates
- Census and estimates
- Population density is a different measure
- Not physical; numbers in censuses, surveys and reports.
Capabilities and actions required Filled
- find population figures with sources and dates
- understand estimation methods
- compare populations consistently
- report uncertainty
Hazards and failure modes required Filled
- Outdated figures
- Comparing different definitions
- False precision
Standards and interfaces required Filled
- UN Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses
- National statistics law
Context of use required Filled
- Planning, research, conservation and democracy.
- human population sizes
- speaker populations of languages
- electorates
- study sample sizes
- wildlife population sizes
Sources Filled
- Wikidata item Q1613416: population size - identity and sense of the item
- Wikipedia: Population size - general description of the item
Open questions
- Should population kinds be separate entries?
- How should reference dates be recorded?
- How should uncertainty be shown?
Machine files
Provenance
thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed
Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q1613416/spec.json