Time series data, growth, or change over time can be observed and recorded in all
their biological and nonbiological aspects. Therefore, the method of time series
data analysis should be applicable not only for financial economics but also for
solving all biological and nonbiological growth problems. Today, the availability of
statistical package programs has made it easier for each researcher to easily apply
any statistical model, based on all types of data sets, such as cross-section, time
series, cross-section over time and panel data. This book introduces and discusses
time series data analysis, and represents the first book of a series dealing with data
analysis using EViews.
After more than 25 years of teaching applied statistical methods and advising
graduate students on their theses and dissertations, I have found that many students
still have difficulties in doing data analysis, specifically in defining and evaluating
alternative acceptable models, in theoretical or substantial and statistical senses.
Using time series data, this book presents many types of linear models from a large
or perhaps an infinite number of possible models (see Agung, 1999a, 2007). This
book also offers notes on how to modify and extend each model. Hence, all
illustrative models and examples presented in this book will provide a useful
additional guide and basic knowledge to the users, specifically to students, in doing
data analysis for their scientific research papers.
It has been recognized that EViews is an excellent interactive program, which
provides an excellent tool for us to use to do the best detailed data analyses, particularly
in developing and evaluating models, in doing residual analysis and in testing various
hypothesis, either univariate or multivariate hypotheses. However, it has also been
recognized that for selected statistical data analyses, other statistical package programs
should be used, such as SPSS, SAS, STATA, AMOS, LISREL and DEA.