CRC Press Small Area Estimation and Microsimulation Modeling

Small Area Estimation and Microsimulation Modeling is the first practical handbook that comprehensively presents modern statistical SAE methods in the framework of ultramodern spatial microsimulation modeling while providing the novel approach of creating synthetic spatial microdata. Along with describing the necessary theories and their advantages and limitations, the authors illustrate the practical application of the techniques to a large number of substantive problems, including how to build up models, organize and link data, create synthetic microdata, conduct analyses, yield informative tables and graphs, and evaluate how the findings effectively support the decision making processes in government and non-government organizations. Features Covers both theoretical and applied aspects for real-world comparative research and regional statistics production Thoroughly explains how microsimulation modeling technology can be constructed using available datasets for reliable small area statistics Provides SAS codes that allow readers to utilize these latest technologies in their own work. This book is designed for advanced graduate students, academics, professionals and applied practitioners who are generally interested in small area estimation and/or microsimulation modeling and dealing with vital issues in social and behavioural sciences, applied economics and policy analysis, government and/or social statistics, health sciences, business, psychology, environmental and agriculture modeling, computational statistics and data simulation, spatial statistics, transport and urban planning, and geospatial modeling. Review "The book aims at introducing modern statistical small area estimation methodologies into the framework of spatial microsimulation modelling for a comprehensive presentation, providing a novel approach with much potential in comparative social research and regional statistics production. In my opinion, the strongest methodological developments are in the techniques of generating synthetic spatial microdata at small area levels. This book will be attractive for students, in economics, social sciences and statistics in particular. The increasing use of both SAE and microsimulation methods in different areas of society, such as social planning by government institutions and official or public statistics production by national and international statistical agencies. Finally, I want to congratulate the authors for writing a nice and well readable book on a quite complicated topic." ―Prof. Risto Lehtonen, University of Helsinki ". . .an interesting read for both beginning and more experienced microsimulation modellers. The two authors are well known within the microsimulation community. In this book, they share their experiences and insights into both the more theoretical and empirical aspects of microsimulation modelling. Across disciplines, there are several approaches towards the simulation or projection of small area statistics. However, since these different disciplines make use of different terminologies, there is less cross-pollination than expected (or hoped for). The aim of this book is to show and explain different approaches of small area estimation that are used in different research fields. The book gives an extensive theoretical and empirical overview of different microsimulation techniques and can be of relevance to researchers who want to expand their knowledges on ways to estimate small area characteristics."~International Journal of Microsimulation "The authors begin with a detailed classification tree of small area estimation techniques. The text then proceeds to review and describe these techniques. A familiarity with regression techniques and survey methods is assumed throughout. The text then proceeds to present some new small area estimation techniques, validation methods, and a detailed worked example. The appendices provide further details of the work