ASSESSMENT OF THE POPULATION LIFE QUALITY IN RUSSIAN REGIONS BASED ON DIGITAL DATA: METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Relevance. Deepening the trend towards digitalization of various aspects of social life actualizes the use of digital technologies in the social sciences. Such digital research methods as machine learning, data mining, big data, etc. open up a huge potential for studying and solving many social problems. Digital research methods are also widely used in studies of well-being, quality of life, happiness, and life satisfaction. The main aim of the study is to assess the population life quality in Russian regions based on social network data and using digital research methods. Methods. The research methodology is based on the study of subjective assessments of the quality of life by users of the social network Vkontakte in their region of residence. To implement this methodology, we used big data technologies (extracting a large array of data from a social network in Vkontakte) and machine learning (analyzing the data obtained – determining the tone and subject of messages). Results. A methodology for studying the quality of life of the population of Russian regions using digital methods and social network data is proposed. The advantages and disadvantages of the presented research method are considered. We have developed a tool for assessing the quality of life – the index of subjective (non-) well-being. The quality of life was assessed for 83 out of 85 regions of the Russian Federation.