Summary

Two methods of computing migration rates—one relating moves to population at risk in place of origin and the other using as a denominator the cross-product of population in places of origin and destination—are discussed. It is concluded that the second assumes implicitly that moves originate and terminate as a random population variable.

Some difficulties with this particular model are pointed out and the author suggests that other analytical approaches to migration data be sought and in this connection refers to the literature on the mathematical theory of epidemics.

Resumen

Se discute dos métodos para computar tasas de migración, uno relaciono el desplazamiento con la población sometida al riesgo en el lugar de origen y el otro que usa como denominador el producto cruzado de la población en los lugares de origen y de destino. Se concluye que el segundo asume implicitamente que los desplazamientos se originan y terminan como una variable poblacional fortuita.

Se señalan algunas dificultades con eete modele particular y el autor sugiere que deben buscarse otras perspectivas analíticas para tratar datos sobre migración y en conección con esto se refiere a la literatura sobre la teoría matemática de las epidemics.

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