The Data Analysis and Modeling research group was created in 2010 by professors belonging to what at the time was the Department of Economics and Business of the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies. The members’ academic formation is diverse and varied –mathematicians, computer scientists, statisticians, economists– but they share a strong background in quantitative research methods. The members’ expertise in areas such as operations research, statistics and spatial econometrics, mathematical analysis of networks, survival analysis and economic theory is particularly noteworthy. Moreover, a significant amount of the individual research activities have been conducted in the above mentioned methodological fields. The main results of the group have been obtained through the application quantitative methods to different research areas. The applications of quantitative methods have been developed in three main areas.
The first is Applied Economics, with special reference to spatial issues. The group has made significant contributions to the analysis of the immigrant population in Catalonia and its evolution, the analysis of spatial population segregation, the analysis of the income distribution in metropolitan areas and the analysis of population and traffic flows. Three important contributions of the group at the local level are particularly worthy of note: the Osona County Socio-economic Yearbook (Anuari comarcal d’Osona), the drafting of the new urban development plan for Vic and the urban rearrangement of Manlleu after the Neighbourhoods Law was passed.
The second area is Business Analytics. This involves research activities conducted by the group that resulted from requests to participate in collaborative projects with institutions. These agreements have allowed the group to apply knowledge and methodological techniques to specific scientific fields. Also they have contributed to strengthening relations with the social and economic environment. One branch has been medical and clinical research, where the group has worked together with the Health and Social Studies Centre (CESS). Three members of the group are currently supervising PHD theses focusing on the detection and estimation of population that needs palliative care (NECPAL Project). Data mining techniques have been applied and cost-benefit studies have been performed. A second area has been developed with the BONPREU group, a retail company who requested an analysis of labour turnover. This collaboration has resulted in a knowledge transfer agreement with the company. Logit models and survival analysis techniques were used and these innovative applications have been presented in articles and conferences in the area of human resources management. There are well-grounded expectations that suggest that it will be possible to extend this labour turnover analysis to other companies and bodies.
The third area is the Methodological and Statistical Consulting. Several members of the group have supervised and advised other UVic professors to develop research projects and PHD theses, especially in processing statistical data in diverse areas. Among the themes that the group has assisted in developing, of particular note are physical activities and sports, communication and entrepreneurship.
Coordinator: Dr. Joan Carles Martori
Researchers:
- Casas Vilaro, Jordi
- García Domingo, Josep Lluis
- Hoberg , Karen
- Lagonigro Bertran, Raymond
- Madariaga Sanchez, Rafa
- Martori Cañas, Joan Carles
- Oller Pique, Ramon
- Reyna Perez, Julio Cesar
- Sabata Aliberch, Anna
- Tornafoch Chirveches, Queralt
- Vicente Soriano, Xavier