- Docente: Pinuccia Pasqualina Calia
- Credits: 6
- SSD: SECS-S/03
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Statistics, Economics and Business (cod. 8876)
Learning outcomes
The course aims to provide basic knowledge on the characteristics and treatment of spatial data with regards to economic phenomena. Students are introduced to the use of software for the application of statistical methods and techniques for the analysis and representation of territorial economic phenomena. At the end of the course, the student will be able to process the socio-economic databases at a territorial level and analyze and interpret spatial economic phenomena.
Course contents
1) Spatial statistical data:
- characteristics
- sources and databases
- metadata for the economic analysis (classifications)
2) Descriptive analysis for areal data:
- standardization and statistical measures
- graphical representation: working with shapefiles, thematic maps and diagram maps; other graphical representation
- indices: concentration index, location and specialization indices
3) Spatial autocorrelation:
- measuring spatial neighbouring, spatial weighs matrices
- global spatial autocorrelation indices
- local spatial autocorrelation indices; Moran's diagram
4) Spatial Regression for cross-section data:
- Spatial Error Model and Spatial Lag Model
- General Spatial Model
- Estimation methods (ML and GS2SLS) and model selection
Readings/Bibliography
Lecture notes and other teaching materials will be provided on the e-learning platform VIRTUALE, accessible via the link https://virtuale.unibo.it/.
Additional information regarding texts or other bibliographic resources will be communicated by the instructor throughout the course.
Teaching methods
The course is structured into lectures, which cover theoretical aspects and practical activities conducted in class.
The practical activities involve the use of statistical software (Stata) to apply the methods presented during the theoretical lectures to real data.
The software can be downloaded and installed free of charge by each student on their own computer. To actively participate in the practical sessions, students are required to bring their own laptop to class.
Students who do not have access to a personal laptop can still participate by working in pairs with a classmate.
Assessment methods
The exam consists of an individually prepared paper and an oral presentation.
The paper, submitted in written form, involves the description and empirical analysis of a case study. You'll need to agree on this case study with the instructor by the end of the course, and the paper must be delivered at least 3 days before the exam date.
The oral presentation will primarily focus on discussing your paper, along with questions related to it and topics covered during the course.
The exam format is the same for both attending and non-attending students. Non-attending students should contact the instructor well in advance to agree on the case study for their paper.
The exam aims to assess:
- Knowledge of concepts and methods
- Ability to correctly apply data analysis techniques
- Ability to interpret data analysis results
- Ability to use correct formal language
- Clarity of presentation
Teaching tools
The following teaching materials will be provided through the e-learning platform VIRTUALE:
- Lecture's slides and notes
- Useful readings (articles, book chapters, etc.)
- Dataset and codes for Stata tutorials
Materials will be provided and integrated throughout the course.
For the in-class exercise activities, it is necessary to install the STATA SE version software on your laptop. All UNIBO students can download the software from the link https://www.unibo.it/secure/software-stata/. Please also download any available documentation with instructions for activating or renewing the license.
Office hours
See the website of Pinuccia Pasqualina Calia