Foundations of Economic Development Research: Introduction to Regional Analysis Methods

Course Introduction: Overview, Format, and Objectives
Course Welcome and Introduction
3 Modules
How to Navigate this Course
Overview of Course Content and Objectives (VIDEO)
Glossary of Economic Research Terms and Techniques
Laying a Foundation for Economic Modeling
Defining and Measuring Your Regional Economy
4 Modules | 2 Knowledge Checks
Measuring the Regional Economy: Specialization and Diversity (VIDEO)
Further Exploring Location Quotient
Exercise: Use Location Quotient to Understand Regional Specialization
Use an Interactive Map to Explore Location Quotients
Exercise: Determine a Regional Industry’s Location Quotient (LQ)
Leisure and Hospitality in Orlando: Check Your LQ Calculation
Modeling Your Region's Economic Activities
3 Modules | 1 Knowledge Check
How Economic Base Theory is Used to Model a Regional Economy (VIDEO)
Economic Base Theory: Using Multipliers to Predict Regional Economic Impacts (VIDEO)
Exercise: Estimating the Export Base and Region-wide Multiplier for a Region
Calculating a Region-wide Multiplier
Methods for Researching the Competitive Strengths of a Region
Understanding Business Location Decisions and Evaluating Competitive Strengths
2 Modules
How to Conduct Competitive Market Intelligence Research (VIDEO)
Exercise: HQ2 and You – Analyzing Amazon’s Request for Proposals (RFP)
Workforce and Growth: Using Data to Tell Your Region's Labor Market Story
Using Data to Answer Questions About Your Local Workforce
2 Modules
Researching and Analyzing Your Region’s Labor Market (VIDEO)
Exercise: Which Labor Market Data Source Would You Use?
Analyzing Growth Trends in Your Region's Industries
3 Modules
Using Shift-Share Analysis to Reveal Your Most Competitive Industries
Demonstration: The Shift-Share Analysis Technique
Exercise: Performing a Shift-Share Analysis for a Region
Mapping Industry Clusters, Analyzing Interdependencies, and Identifying Targets
Understanding the Concentration of Related Industries in Your Region
2 Modules
Analyzing and Mapping a Region’s Industry “Clusters” (VIDEO)
Activity: Exploring Pre-defined Clusters Using Clustermapping.us
Using Value Chain Mapping to Analyze Linkages and Interdependencies
2 Modules
Recognizing Inter-industry Linkages and Value Chains (VIDEO)
Optional Exercise: Research “Links” in a Value Chain
Using Cluster Analysis to Identify Targets for Industries in Your Region
1 Module
Understanding Your Targets
Tools for Evaluating and Communicating Economic and Fiscal Impacts
Conducting Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis
3 Modules
Principles of Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis [VIDEO]
Case Study: Economic Impact of the Coal Industry in Pennsylvania
Case Study: Fiscal Impacts of a Mixed-Use Development in Northern Virginia

Use an Interactive Map to Explore Location Quotients

Foundations of Economic Development Research: Introduction to Regional Analysis Methods Defining and Measuring Your Regional Economy Exercise: Use Location Quotient to Understand Regional Specialization Use an Interactive Map to Explore Location Quotients

The interactive map you explored in the previous module allowed you to quickly find and compare location quotients (LQs) for an entire MSA (Miami Valley), as well as for individual counties within the area. The data visualization also showed you LQ metrics using two different reference points–the U.S. and the state. Now that you’ve had a chance to look at the region through the lens of location quotient, select your answers to the accompanying analysis questions. (Note that the data visualization will remain on the page when you click the button to advance to the knowledge check.)