In social sciences, what is meant by demography as a field of study with respect to human populations?

Introduction / Context:
Demography is an important branch of social science that deals with the quantitative study of human populations. It looks at how populations change over time and how these changes affect society, economy, and planning. This question checks your understanding of what demography covers and how broadly it is defined beyond just counting people.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The term to define is demography.
• Options mention wellbeing, growth, births and deaths, and an all inclusive description.
• The question aims at the most complete and accurate view of demography.
• Only one option captures the full scope of the field.

Concept / Approach:
Demography is usually defined as the scientific and statistical study of human populations, especially with reference to size, structure, distribution, and changes due to births, deaths, migration, ageing, and other processes. It involves understanding not only how many people there are and where they live but also how population characteristics affect wellbeing and development. Each of the first three options describes an important aspect but only the all inclusive option reflects the full scope of the discipline.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider what demography covers in standard definitions, which usually mention size, composition, distribution, and vital statistics such as births and deaths. Step 2: Observe that option a talks about wellbeing, which is related but is only one dimension of population study. Step 3: Note that option b focuses on growth of population, again an important but partial aspect. Step 4: Recognise that option c covers births and deaths and some structure aspects but does not fully express broader concerns such as wellbeing and overall distribution. Step 5: Conclude that option d, all of the above aspects taken together as the scientific study of human populations, is closest to the standard comprehensive definition of demography.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling that demographic data include birth rates, death rates, fertility, migration, age pyramids, and also indicators of population quality that affect wellbeing. Most textbooks describe demography as a statistical study of populations, and they treat growth, vital events, and wellbeing as connected issues that together form the subject matter. Therefore, a combined description best captures the meaning of the term.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a is too narrow because it speaks mainly about wellbeing, which is also part of economics and public health. Option b looks only at population growth and ignores structure and composition. Option c mentions births and deaths and some structure, but not broader aspects such as wellbeing and distribution. Each of these is incomplete on its own, so they do not represent the full definition of demography.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to think that demography is only about counting births and deaths or only about growth rate. Another pitfall is to confuse demography with general sociology or economics and think it is only about wellbeing. Remembering that demography connects numbers, structure, and vital events with overall population characteristics helps you choose the comprehensive option in such questions.

Final Answer:
Demography refers to the scientific study of human populations including wellbeing, growth, and vital events such as births and deaths, so the best description is all of the above aspects together.