Synthetic Populations Generator (SPG)

Synthetic Populations Generator (SPG) is a service designed for research conditions where microdata on the population are not available, and information can only be obtained in aggregate form or distributed across various sources. The main objective of the service is to provide users with a synthetic population that integrates data from different sources, thus providing detailed and integrated micro-level information on the characteristics of the reference population.

Enter SPG

FOSSR SPG

Objectives

The extraction of synthetic data relating to the population can be used for research within artificial
populations (e.g. social simulation models) representative of the target population, but also for
other methods where information integrated with synthetic data is necessary.

Synthetic Populations Generator (SPG) responds to the need to conduct research
in conditions where micro-data on the population are not available, and
information is obtainable in aggregate form or distributed among various sources.

Service description

The service is designed to automate the process of extracting synthetic data for the user.

The user must upload an input .csv file with the aggregated data from which the synthetic population is to be extracted. The user is provided with instructions on how to prepare the input file to allow the identification of joint categories and what level of integration is desired. The algorithm identifies from the input data and calculates estimates of joint distributions for multiple dimensions and units of analysis. The algorithm calculates from the input variables and automatically corrects for known joint distributions, if provided. The final output returned to the user is a .csv file containing the synthetic data extraction. Other formats are also available.

In line with Open Science principles, the service will be distributed through the release of the algorithm code, user interface and web app via the FOSSR Virtual Research Environment (VRE) servers. There is no charge for access to the service.

To whom it is addressed

The service is primarily aimed at researchers who use demographic data on the population, as in the case of social simulation, but not only. The service can also be extended to policymakers when used as a basis for producing data for use in population research models and analyses.

Information

The FOSSR-SPG service is managed by the Research Institute for Population and Social Policies (CNR-IRPPS), a FOSSR project partner.

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*pictures credits: Kenny Eliason on Unsplash