Econometric Methods for Postgraduate-level Research

This book is highly recommended for use by postgraduate-level students and researchers in the socioeconomic and socio-behavioral fields. The book introduces novice researchers to commonly used econometric and statistical methods of data analysis. The methods covered in the book are commonly used for performing quantitative and qualitative data analyses in socioeconomic, demographic, public-health and socio-behavioral studies. The book is especially helpful to learners who wish to acquire basic skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis by using statistical packages such as SPSS and STATA. Theoretical principles are outlined, followed by easy numerical examples, along with steps that need to be followed for performing data analyses and interpreting results obtained from data analyses. The book has two aspects (quantitative and qualitative data analyses). As part of the quantitative aspect, the book stipulates theoretical principles, steps needed for data analysis, and the interpretation of results of data analyses. The book provides easy examples to follow on how to use the American Psychological Association (APA) citation-and-referencing style. Examples are provided for journal articles, books, and Internet-based reports and sources of information. A sample proposal, a questionnaire of study, and a list of interview questions are provided for learners to follow. These documents are custom-made to requirements that apply to postgraduate-level studies at Tshwane University of Technology. The book also provides steps on how to use appropriate goodness-of-fit tests for all procedures of quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Such tests are required for assessing the theoretical reliability of fitted models. As part of the qualitative aspect, the book provides learners a practical example of thematic analysis, which is a commonly used method of qualitative data analysis. The book enables learners to write research proposals and perform quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis. Raw data sets are used for illustrating theoretical principles. The book performs the analyses of raw data sets in the statistical packages SPSS and STATA. Easy steps that need to be followed by learners are outlined and provided in all parts of the book.