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A stochastic differential equation approach to the analysis of the 2017 and 2019 UK general election polls

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  • Levene, Mark
  • Fenner, Trevor

Abstract

Human dynamics and sociophysics build on statistical models that can shed light on and add to our understanding of social phenomena. We propose a generative model based on a stochastic differential equation that enables us to model the opinion polls leading up to the 2017 and 2019 UK general elections and to make predictions relating to the actual results of the elections. After a brief analysis of the time series of the poll results, we provide empirical evidence that the gamma distribution, which is often used in financial modelling, fits the marginal distribution of this time series. We demonstrate that the proposed poll-based forecasting model may improve upon predictions based solely on polls. The method uses the Euler–Maruyama method to simulate the time series, measuring the prediction error with the mean absolute error and the root mean square error, and as such could be used as part of a toolkit for forecasting elections.

Suggested Citation

  • Levene, Mark & Fenner, Trevor, 2021. "A stochastic differential equation approach to the analysis of the 2017 and 2019 UK general election polls," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 1227-1234.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intfor:v:37:y:2021:i:3:p:1227-1234
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijforecast.2021.02.002
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    2. Rytis Kazakevicius & Aleksejus Kononovicius & Bronislovas Kaulakys & Vygintas Gontis, 2021. "Understanding the nature of the long-range memory phenomenon in socioeconomic systems," Papers 2108.02506, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2021.

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