Validation issues and the spatial pattern of household income

Chapter 4 described a methodology for the creation of a dataset containing micro-units, their incomes and labour market characteristics within a spatial context using spatial microsimulation methods. As static spatial microsimulation is essentially a method to create spatially disaggregated microdata that previously did not exist, an important issue relates to the validation of the synthetic data generated (Voas and Williamson 2001a). Validation techniques examine model outputs in systematic ways to reveal deficiencies/errors in the model outputs. As such, model validation forms an integral part of the overall development and application of any model. Oketch and Carrick (2005) point out that it is only through validation that the credibility and reliability of a model can be assured.