Student instructions: Linear modelling of the life expectancy of Canadians

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Background information

Life expectancy refers to the average number of years an individual is expected to live, as determined by statistics regarding mortality by age group. For instance, if the life expectancy in 1955 was 65, that would mean that people born in 1955 would be expected to live until they were 65 years old, on average. The life expectancy of Canadians is among the highest in the world. Why do you think this is?

Part 1: Overall life expectancy

In this section, you will retrieve data on the life expectancy of Canadians from 1979 to 1999 from E-STAT. Then, you will import your data into spreadsheet or dynamic statistical software and perform analysis, using your knowledge of linear equations.

E-STAT instructions

1. Go to E-STAT.
2. Select English. 
3. Select Search CANSIM on the left sidebar.
4. Type Life expectancy in the Search box and select on the Search button.
5. Click on 102-0025 to retrieve Life expectancy, abridged life table, at birth and at age 65, by sex, Canada, provinces and territories (Comparable Indicators), annual (years) *Terminated*, 1979 to 1999.
6. On the Subset selection page:
   • Under Geography, select Canada
   • Under Sex, select Both sexes
   • Under Characteristics, select Life expectancy, at birth
   • Under From, select 1979
   • Under To, select 1999
7. Select Retrieve as individual Time Series button.
8. Ensure that your dates are still correct. If not, make appropriate adjustments on this screen.

Generic statistical software instructions

Note: Specific instructions and worksheets for spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel) and dynamic statistical software (e.g., Fathom) are also provided.

1. Retrieve the E-STAT data. The output selected will depend on your software. Plain text: Table, time as rows, HTML, table: Time as rows, or CSV: Time as rows usually work well. Check with your teacher to see which format works best with your school's software.
2. Import the data into your statistical software.
3. Save your file as Life Expectancy Total.
4. Create a new attribute that represents the number of years since 1979, using the following formula: Years Since 1979 = Year – 1979.
5. Create a scatter plot with Years Since 1979 on the x-axis and Life Expectancy on the y-axis.
6. Use an informal process to approximate the line of best fit for this dataset, such as an electronic movable line or drawing in a line of best fit by hand on a printout of the graph.

   Go to Worksheet 1: Overall life expectancy: Student version and answer questions 1 to 7.

7. Use your software program to add the software-generated line of best fit to the graph.

   Go to Worksheet 1: Overall life expectancy: Student version and answer questions 8 to 14.

Part 2: Life expectancy by sex

In this section, you will retrieve the life expectancy data for males and females separately. You will compare the equations of the lines of best fit of the two sexes. You will see where the two lines of best fit intersect and perform data analysis based on this graph.

E-STAT instructions

1. Repeat Steps 1-6 in the E-STAT instructions.
2. On the Subset selection page:
   • Under Geography, select Canada
   • Under Sex, select Male and Female (Hold down the Control key to select both)
   • Under Characteristics, select Life expectancy, at birth
   • Under From, select 1979
   • Under To, select 1999
3. Click on the Retrieve as individual Time Series button
4. Ensure that your dates are still correct. If not, make appropriate adjustments on this screen.

Generic statistical software instructions

Note: Specific instructions and worksheets for spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel) and dynamic statistical software (e.g., Fathom) are also provided.

1. Retrieve the E-STAT data. The output selected will depend on your software. Plain text: Table, time as rows, HTML, table: Time as rows, or CSV: Time as rows usually work well. Check with your teacher to see which format works best with your school's software.
2. Import the data into your statistical software.
3. Save your file as Life Expectancy by Sex.
4. Create a new attribute that represents the number of years since 1979, using the following formula: Years Since 1979 = Year – 1979.
5. Create a scatter plot with Years Since 1979 on the x-axis and Life Expectancy – Males and Life Expectancy – Females on the y-axis. You should have two sets of data (male and female life expectancies) plotted on one graph.

   Go to Worksheet 2: Life expectancy by sex: Student version and answer questions 1 to 3.

6. Use your software program to generate the lines of best fit for the graph (one for the male life expectancy data and one for the female life expectancy data).

   Go to Worksheet 2: Life expectancy by sex: Student version and answer questions 4 to 6.

7. Adjust the size and/or range of x and y values of your graph so you can see where the lines of best fit intersect.

   Go to Worksheet 2: Life expectancy by sex: Student version and answer questions 7 to 9.