title: The role of simulation techniques in the theory and observation of family formation.
abstract: Summary   The investigation of fertility change can involve the consideration of the results of micro-level empirical studies in the context of an economic theory of family formation. In particular, a change in the observable statistics can then be related to a change in behaviour, or factors influencing behaviour. The analysis of this relationship is hindered, however, by its complexity and by the large number of stochastic variables present. It is argued that an essential aid to such an analysis is the use of a model suitable for simulation. Here, we present such a model and illustrate possible applications with various experiments.
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Crafts
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Ireland