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Johansen test

Johansen test is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Johansen test rather than just read about it. In short: In statistics, the Johansen test, named after Søren Johansen, is a procedure for testing cointegration of several, say k, I(1) time series. This test permits more than one cointegrating relationship so is more generally applicable than the Engle-Granger test which is based on the Dickey–Fuller (or the augmented) test for unit roots in the residuals from a single (estimated) cointegrating relationship.

Key takeaways

  • Johansen test belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Johansen test to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Johansen test from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In statistics, the Johansen test, named after Søren Johansen, is a procedure for testing cointegration of several, say k, I(1) time series. This test permits more than one cointegrating relationship so is more generally applicable than the Engle-Granger test which is based on the Dickey–Fuller (or the augmented) test for unit roots in the residuals from a single (estimated) cointegrating relationship.

Types There are two types of Johansen test, either with trace or with eigenvalue, and the inferences might be a little bit different. The null hypothesis for the trace test is that the number of cointegration vectors is r = r* < k, vs. the alternative that r = k. Testing proceeds sequentially for r* = 1,2, etc. and the first non-rejection of the null is taken as an estimate of r. The null hypothesis for the "maximum eigenvalue" test is as for the trace test but the alternative is r = r* + 1 and, again, testing proceeds sequentially for r* = 1,2,etc., with the first non-rejection used as an estimator for r. Just like a unit root test, there can be a constant term, a trend term, both, or neither in the model. For a general VAR(p) model:

X t = μ + Φ D t + Π p X t − p + ⋯ + Π 1 X t − 1 + e t , t = 1 , … , T {\displaystyle X_{t}=\mu +\Phi D_{t}+\Pi _{p}X_{t-p}+\cdots +\Pi _{1}X_{t-1}+e_{t},\quad t=1,\dots ,T}

There are two possible specifications for error correction: that is, two vector error correction models (VECM): 1. The longrun VECM:

Δ X t = μ + Φ D t + Π X t − p + Γ p − 1 Δ X t − p + 1 + ⋯ + Γ 1 Δ X t − 1 + ε t , t = 1 , … , T {\displaystyle \Delta X_{t}=\mu +\Phi D_{t}+\Pi X_{t-p}+\Gamma _{p-1}\Delta X_{t-p+1}+\cdots +\Gamma _{1}\Delta X_{t-1}+\varepsilon _{t},\quad t=1,\dots ,T}

where

Γ i = Π 1 + ⋯ + Π i − I , i = 1 , … , p − 1. {\displaystyle \Gamma _{i}=\Pi _{1}+\cdots +\Pi _{i}-I,\quad i=1,\dots ,p-1.\,}

2. The transitory VECM:

Δ X t = μ + Φ D t + Π X t − 1 − ∑ j = 1 p − 1 Γ j Δ X t − j + ε t , t = 1 , ⋯ , T {\displaystyle \Delta X_{t}=\mu +\Phi D_{t}+\Pi X_{t-1}-\sum _{j=1}^{p-1}\Gamma _{j}\Delta X_{t-j}+\varepsilon _{t},\quad t=1,\cdots ,T}

where

Γ i = ( Π i + 1 + ⋯ + Π p ) , i = 1 , … , p − 1. {\displaystyle \Gamma _{i}=\left(\Pi _{i+1}+\cdots +\Pi _{p}\right),\quad i=1,\dots ,p-1.\,}

The two are the same. In both VECM,

Π = Π 1 + ⋯ + Π p − I . {\displaystyle \Pi =\Pi _{1}+\cdots +\Pi _{p}-I.\,}

Inferences are drawn on Π, and they will be the same, so is the explanatory power.

References

Further reading Banerjee, Anindya; et al. (1993). Co-Integration, Error Correction, and the Econometric Analysis of Non-Stationary Data. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 266–268. ISBN 0-19-828810-7. Favero, Carlo A. (2001). Applied Macroeconometrics. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 56–71. ISBN 0-19-829685-1. Hatanaka, Michio (1996). Time-Series-Based Econometrics: Unit Roots and Cointegration. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 219–246. ISBN 0-19-877353-6. Maddala, G. S.; Kim, In-Moo (1998). Unit Roots, Cointegration, and Structural Change. Cambridge University Press. pp. 198–248. ISBN 0-521-58782-4.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Johansen test

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Johansen test claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Johansen test before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Johansen test ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Johansen test

In research
Johansen test appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Johansen test in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Johansen test is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Mathematical finance, Time series statistical tests, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Johansen test outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Johansen test in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Johansen test means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Johansen test out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Johansen test in simple terms?

In statistics, the Johansen test, named after Søren Johansen, is a procedure for testing cointegration of several, say k, I(1) time series. This test permits more than one cointegrating relationship so is more generally applicable than the Engle-Granger test which is based on the Dickey–Fuller (or…

Why does Johansen test matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Johansen test?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Johansen test.

Tags

  • Mathematical finance
  • Time series statistical tests

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