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Methods of Regional Analysis

Course developer

Course abstract

Subject imparts knowledges about elements of theoretical and methodical regional research, methods of data yield, methods of data analysis and its application for regional data.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Upon successful completion of this course:
1. Students acquire knowledge and critical understanding of the theoretical and methodological bases of regional studies, methods of data collection and analysis in the regional economy.– tests
2. Students are able to show understanding of the corresponding concept and regularities, to perform necessary caluculations and operations. Students are able to use appropriate software for calculations. - practical and laboratory work
3. Working in a group or doing work independently, student is able to apply the regional analysis methods corresponding to the specialty problem situation, to make a professional assessment and interpretation of the intermediate and the final results. – independent studies

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Theoretical and methodological bases for regional studies. Regional Development Policy in the EU and Latvia. Regionalisation processes in the EU. Legal and regulatory framework for the regional economy. Administrative Territorial Reform in Latvia and the EU. Statistical nomenclature of territorial units in the EU and its use. Production of territorial statistics in the EU and Latvia (2 h)
2. Measurement scales, types and characteristics of the data. Preparing data for analysis. Working with large array of output data. Select, sort, filter data. (3 h)
3. Indicators describing the economic space. Economic, social, environmental indicators of the region. Index method. An index of living conditions. Area Development Index. Ranking-correlation method. (2 h)
4. Primary examination and evaluation of exit data. The relevance and use of statistical indicators for the characterisation and analysis of raw data. Graphical display of data. Examples in the regional economy. Adoption of the decision and interpretation of the results. (3 h)
5. Correlation analysis. Purpose of the correlation analysis. Linear and non-linear correlation. Positive and negative correlation. Correlations between the pair and the two factors. Coefficient of the linear correlation. Assessment and comparison of the correlation. Correlation charts. Examples in the regional economy. Adoption of the decision and interpretation of the results. (2 h)
6. Regression analysis. Purpose of regression analysis. Analytical method. Linear regression. Determination and use of the regression model. Examples in the regional economy. Adoption of the decision and interpretation of the results. (3 h)
Test 1.. Primary examination of the data. Indexes. Correlation. Regression.
7. Analysis of dynamic time series. Indicators of time series. Average of the dynamic row. Analytical alignment of the dynamic line. Justification and calculation of parameters for trendland selection. Graphic image of the dynamic row. Examples in the regional economy. Adoption of the decision and interpretation of the results. (4 h)
8. 2 criterion for the verification of empirical and theoretical distribution. 2 criterion for the verification of qualitative samples. 2 criterion as a test for statistical independence. Examples in the regional economy. Adoption of the decision and interpretation of the results. (3 h)
9. Parametric methods for analysis of two samples. Related samples. Independent samples. Comparison of the mean of independent samples with t-test. Comparison of the variances of independent samples with F-test. Comparison of the mean of related samples with t-test. Examples in the regional economy. Adoption of the decision and interpretation of the results. (5 h)
10. Parametric methods for multi-sample analysis. Analysis of variance. Single factor analysis of variance. Analysis of the variance for two factors. Determination of the significance of the impact of the factor. Examples of dispersion analysis in the regional economy. Adoption of the decision and interpretation of the results. (3 h)
Test 2.. Analysis of dynamic time series: 2 criterion. Parametric analysis methods.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Formal test with a grade

The course is completed without additional knowledge examination if the results of the semester are summarized as 2 successful written tests (average grade at least 4).
There is 1 independent home work (in writing) in the semester.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Tasks for the independent work are included in e-studies every week.
There is 1 independent home work (in writing) in the semester.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

During the semester 2 tests, each scored with a maximum of 8.
One option is given to write a test. For an justified reason, the test may be written in the another time.
The final assessment depends on the cumulative assessment of the semester:
• successful average grade of two practical tests (maximum of 8);
• 1 independent home work (in writing) (maximum of 2).
In the case of unsuccessful co-score of two tests (below 4), the student shall be responsible for the whole study material in the individual study and testing period.

Compulsory reading

1. Arhipova I., Bāliņa S. Statistika ekonomikā un biznesā. Rīga: Datorzinību Centrs, 2006. 364 lpp.
2. Grīnglazs L., Kopitovs J. Matemātiskā statistika: ar datoru lietojuma paraugiem uzdevumu risināšanai. Rīga: RSEBA, 2003. 310lpp.
3. Ekonomisko pētījumu metodes un informācijas avoti: mācību līdzeklis. Sast. V.Kozlinskis. Jelgava: LLU, 2001. 66 lpp.

Further reading

1. Dažādā Latvija: pagasti, novadi, pilsētas, rajoni, reģioni. Vērtējumi, perspektīvas, vīzijas. Rīga: Latvijas Statistikas institūts: Valsts reģionālās attīstības aģentūra, 2004. 539 lpp.
2. Berenson M.L., Levine D.M. Basic Business Statistics. Concepts and Applications. USA: PrenticeHall, 2009. 1013 lpp.
3. Vanags E., Vilka I. Pašvaldību darbība un attīstība. Rīga: Latvijas Universitātes Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2005. 384 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. LR Centrālās statistikas pārvalde. Statistisko datu krājumi.

Notes

Restricted elective course for Bachelor’s study programme “Economics”