On the I2(q) Test Statistic for Spatial Dependence: Finite Sample Standardization and Properties

David M. Drukker and Ingmar Prucha, Spatial Economic Analysis 8(3), 271-292, September .

Abstract:

One of the most widely used tests for spatial dependence is Moran’s (1950) I test. The power of the test will depend on the extent to which the spatial-weights matrix employed in computing the Moran I test statistic properly specifies existing interaction links between spatial units. Empirical researchers are often unsure about the use of a particular spatial-weights matrix. In light of this Prucha (2011) introduced the I2 (q) test statistic. This test statistic combines quadratic forms based on several, say q, spatial-weights matrices, while at the same time allows for a proper controlling of the size of the test. In this paper, we first introduce a finite-sample standardized version of the I2 (q) test. We then perform a Monte Carlo study to explore the finite-sample performance of the I2 (q) tests. For comparison, the Monte Carlo study also reports on the finite-sample performance of Moran I tests as well as on Moran I tests performed in sequence.

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