A History of the Concept of Spatial Autocorrelation: A Geographer's Perspective

TLDR

Spatial autocorrelation defines spatial analysis and is central to spatial statistics and econometrics. The paper traces the early development of spatial autocorrelation and explains the academic links that brought it to prominence in the late 1960s. The authors emphasize the roles of Dacey, Cliff, Ord, and Anselin, noting that Anselin’s spatial econometrics volume accelerated spatial research and outline recent and future trends in spatial autocorrelation‑based studies.

Abstract

Spatial autocorrelation is a concept that helps to define the field of spatial analysis. It is central to studies using spatial statistics and spatial econometrics. In this paper, we trace the early development of the concept and explain the academic links that brought the concept to the fore in the late 1960s. In geography, the importance of the work of Michael F. Dacey, Andrew D. Cliff, and J. Keith Ord is emphasized. Later, with the publication of a volume on spatial econometrics by Luc Anselin, spatial research and the use of the concept of spatial autocorrelation received a considerable boost. These developments are outlined together with comments about recent and possible future trends in spatial autocorrelation‐based research.