Analysis of Life Histories: A State Space Approach

Abstract

The computer package LIFEHIST written by the author is meant for analyzing
life histories through a state space approach. Basic ideas on which the various
programs have been built are described in this paper in a nonmathematical
language. Users can use various programs for multistate analyses based on
Markov and semi-Markov frameworks and sequences of transitions implied in
life histories. The package is under constant revision, and programs for using a
few specific models the author thinks will be useful for analyzing longitudinal
data will be incorporated in the near future.