Spatial Regression Models for the Social Sciences shows researchers and students how to work with spatial data without the need for advanced mathematical statistics. Focusing on the methods that are commonly used by social scientists, Guangqing Chi and Jun Zhu explain what each method is and when and how to apply it by connecting it to social science research topics. Throughout the book they use the same social science example to demonstrate applications of each method and what the results can tell us.

Spatial Regression Models illustrates the use of spatial analysis in the social sciences within a regression framework and is accessible to readers with no prior background in spatial analysis. The text covers different modeling-related topics for continuous dependent variables, including: mapping data on spatial units, exploratory spatial data analysis, working with regression models that have spatially dependent regressors, and estimating regression models with spatially correlated error structures. Using social sciences examples based on real data, Michael D. Ward and Kristian Skrede Gleditsch illustrate the concepts discussed, and show how to obtain and interpret relevant results. The examples are presented along with the relevant code to replicate all the analysis using the R package for statistical computing. Users can download both the data and computer code to work through all the examples found in the text. New to the Second Edition is a chapter on mapping as data exploration and its role in the research process, updates to all chapters based on substantive and methodological work, as well as software updates, and information on estimation of time-series, cross-sectional spatial models.

Assuming no prior knowledge this book is geared toward social science readers, unlike other volumes on this topic. The text illustrates concepts using well known international, comparative, and national examples of spatial regression analysis. Each example is presented alongside relevant data and code, which is also available on a Web site maintained by the authors.

This book shows how to model the spatial interactions between actors that are at the heart of the social sciences.

Space and geography are important aspects of social science research in fields such as criminology, sociology, political science, and public health. Many social scientists are interested in the spatial clustering of various behaviors and events. There has been a rapid development of interest in regression methods for analyzing spatial data over recent years, but little available on the topic that is aimed at graduate students and advanced undergraduate classes in the social sciences (most texts are for the natural sciences, or regional science, or economics, and require a good understanding of advanced statistics and probability theory). Spatial Regression Models for the Social Sciences fills the gap, and focuses on the methods that are commonly used by social scientists. Each spatial regression method is introduced in the same way. Guangqing Chi and Jun Zhu explain what each method is and when and how to apply it, by connecting it to social science research topics. They try to avoid mathematical formulas and symbols as much as possible. Secondly, throughout the book they use the same social science example to demonstrate applications of each method and what the results can tell us. Spatial Regression Models for the Social Sciences provides comprehensive coverage of spatial regression methods for social scientists and introduces the methods in an easy-to-follow manner.

Many theories in the social sciences predict spatial dependence or the similarity of behaviors at neighboring locations. Spatial Analysis for the Social Sciences demonstrates how researchers can diagnose and model this spatial dependence and draw more valid inferences as a result. The book is structured around the well-known Galton's problem and presents a step-by-step guide to the application of spatial analysis. The book examines a variety of spatial diagnostics and models through a series of applied examples drawn from the social sciences. These include spatial lag models that capture behavioral diffusion between actors, spatial error models that account for spatial dependence in errors, and models that incorporate spatial heterogeneity in the effects of covariates. Spatial Analysis for the Social Sciences also examines advanced spatial models for time-series cross-sectional data, categorical and limited dependent variables, count data, and survival data.

Spatial Regression Analysis Using Eigenvector Spatial Filtering provides theoretical foundations and guides practical implementation of the Moran eigenvector spatial filtering (MESF) technique. MESF is a novel and powerful spatial statistical methodology that allows spatial scientists to account for spatial autocorrelation in their georeferenced data analyses. Its appeal is in its simplicity, yet its implementation drawbacks include serious complexities associated with constructing an eigenvector spatial filter. This book discusses MESF specifications for various intermediate-level topics, including spatially varying coefficients models, (non) linear mixed models, local spatial autocorrelation, space-time models, and spatial interaction models. Spatial Regression Analysis Using Eigenvector Spatial Filtering is accompanied by sample R codes and a Windows application with illustrative datasets so that readers can replicate the examples in the book and apply the methodology to their own application projects. It also includes a Foreword by Pierre Legendre. - Reviews the uses of ESF across linear regression, generalized linear regression, spatial autocorrelation measurement, and spatially varying coefficient models - Includes computer code and template datasets for further modeling - Provides comprehensive coverage of related concepts in spatial data analysis and spatial statistics