Bias from Network Misspecification under Spatial Dependence

Timm Betz, Scott J. Cook*, Florian Hollenbach

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The prespecification of the network is one of the biggest hurdles for applied researchers in undertaking spatial analysis. In this letter, we demonstrate two results. First, we derive bounds for the bias in nonspatial models with omitted spatially-lagged predictors or outcomes. These bias expressions can be obtained without prior knowledge of the network, and are more informative than familiar omitted variable bias formulas. Second, we derive bounds for the bias in spatial econometric models with nondifferential error in the specification of the weights matrix. Under these conditions, we demonstrate that an omitted spatial input is the limit condition of including a misspecificed spatial weights matrix. Simulated experiments further demonstrate that spatial models with a misspecified weights matrix weakly dominate nonspatial models. Our results imply that, where cross-sectional dependence is presumed, researchers should pursue spatial analysis even with limited information on network ties.
Original languageEnglish
JournalPolitical Analysis
Volume29
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)260-266
Number of pages7
ISSN1047-1987
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Spatial dependence
  • Bounds
  • Omitted variables
  • Measurement error

Cite this