DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPUTER BASED CENSUS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

1.1 Introduction

Computer Based Census Management System includes the sets of methods that allow us to measure the dimensions and dynamics of populations. These methods have primarily been developed to study human populations, but are extended to a variety of areas where researchers want to know how populations of social actors can change across time through processes of birth, death, and migration. The increasing complexity of modern life means a greater need to plan housing, schools, roads, transportation, and a vast range of social and economic requirement for nation. This cannot be done without a detailed count of the population. Census is being officially managed by some organizations or government, for example the National Population Commission (NPC).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Census taking in Nigeria can be traced to have started from as far back as 1966 after the colonization of Lagos by our colonial masters. Since then, there have been several attempts to count Nigeria population. However, these censuses are characterized by some difficulties and deliberate and ill-minded attempts to inflate population figures; just in favour of one geopolitical zone or the other. This does not and cannot represent the nation’s image as regards to human population. As a result of this, the National Population Commission (NPC) was established using the Decree No. 23 of 1989.

The brain behind this was to have successful censuses each time and as well accurate demographic data. It is no doubt that this Commission (NPC) was vested with a lot of powers and functions some of which are; To undertake the periodic enumeration of the nation's population through census, sample surveys, etc. To establish and maintain the machinery for continuous and universal registration of births and deaths To collect, collate and publish data on migration statistics To reach and monitor national population polity and set up national population information data bank. Unfortunately, Nigeria still relies on foreign statistics population information data bank for most of their population estimation.

The installation of computer in these organizations or bodies that manages census information will assist not only in fast-recording information but also in solving certain problems, which cannot be easily resolved manually. The human resource of any enterprises are considered to be their most valuable assets, if they are properly harnessed and are well motivated to perform their assigned tasks in such a manner as to enhance the enterprises goals and objectives. Therefore, adequate population records will provide all the necessary information that is associated with people, which include the size of the population, age structure, educational attainment, labour force and socio-economic characteristics, unlike in the manual method which makes access to data and information very tedious. The integration of different databases so that these databases can be merged and processed together and mainly other reasons, prompted the researcher to develop software for this organization, National Population Commission (NPC).

According to Preston (2000), Demography Measuring and Modeling Population Processes, demography is the statistical and mathematical study of the size, composition, and spatial distribution of human populations, and how these features change over time. Data is obtained from a census of the population and from registries-records of events like birth, deaths, migrations, marriages, divorces, diseases, and employment. To do this, there needs to be an understanding of how they are calculated and the questions they answer which is included in these four concepts: population change, standardization of population numbers, the demographic bookkeeping equation, and population composition.

Population change is analyzed by measuring the change between one population size to another. Global population continues to rise, which makes population change an essential component to demographics. This is calculated by taking one population size minus the population size in an earlier census. The best way of measuring population change is using the intercensal percentage change. The intercensal percentage change is the absolute change in population between the censuses divided by the population size in the earlier census. Next, multiply this by 100 to receive a percentage. When this statistic is achieved, the population growth between two or more nations that differ in size can be accurately measured and examined.

1.3 Statement of Problem

Investigation reveals the problems of the Computer Based Census Management System existing system, which are as follows:

1. The difficulties encountered in keeping demographic data and information.
2. Miscalculation of demographic data/information,
3. Difficulties in accessing demographic data/information
4. Time wasted in searching for a given demographic data/information on packed files.
5. Time wasted in processing demographic data/information

The need arise for the development of computerized based analysis system for National Population Commission.

1.4 Aims and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to Design and Implement a Computer Based Census Management System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To develop computerized software that automatically stores and retrieves all information on human population.
2. To develop a reliable system that could be used in collecting data/information on human population.
3. To develop a system that will support direct access to the specific and required information.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The system will solve problem associated with the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information on human population with ease. A timely retrieval of information is anticipated with efficiency and reliability. It also will provide security to data that are unauthorized, users will not gain access to those files and fraud will be minimized in the society which will lead to improvement in administration processes.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.6 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the design and implementation of Computer Based Census Management System. The major aim of the project is to design a system that will have all information about human population and retrieving of data when ever needed in the society. It covers the registration, retrieval and management of information about individuals in the society.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

1.8 Definition of Term

Demography: Demography is the scientific study of the changing number of births, deaths, diseases, etc in a community over a period of time.

Population: Population is the total number of people living in a particular area, city or country.

Census: A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population.

Enumeration: Enumeration is the head to head count of all individuals in a given society within a period of time.

Migration: Migration is the act of moving from one region or country to another. It is the movement of a group of people, births, or other animals that move in group from one region to another.

Estimation: Estimation is the act of making an approximate calculation of something.

Projection: Projection is an estimate of the rate or amount something.

Abundance: is an ecological concept referring to the relative representation of a species in a particular ecosystem.

Population Density: is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume

Male: refers to the sex of an organism, or part of an organism, which produces small mobile gametes, called spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon can fuse with a larger female gamete or ovum, in the process of fertilization. A male cannot reproduce.

Female: is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces ova (egg cells). The ova are defined as the larger gamete in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced