Analysis of Quality of Life and Rural Development: Evidence from West Virginia Data

<heading id="h1" level="1" format="inline" implicit="no">Abstract</heading>This paper examines the relationship between quality of life, rural development, and several socioeconomic variables. The analysis utilizes data obtained from a survey questionnaire administered to a random sample of more than 2,000 residents in West Virginia, and spatial data obtained by geocoding the survey respondents' addressees. Quality of life is measured by a three-point categorical measure of overall satisfaction, and development is measured by a goods and services availability index. A simultaneous ordered probit model is used to examine the relationships. The empirical results are consistent with the theoretical predictions and indicate a simultaneous relationship between quality of life satisfaction and rural development. Copyright 2003 Gatton College of Business and Economics, University of Kentucky..