Models of Movement: A Review of Alternative Methods

Abstract

This paper reviews methods available to analyse movement and in particular migration. Stochastic process models seem able to provide a framework for microanalysis which can incorporate much of the complexity of such processes. However, a consideration of the effect of macro-constraints, in the form of limited opportunities for movement and of interhousehold competition, leads to a distinction between fixed transition rate and fixed state occupancy models. Alternative approaches to fixed state occupancy models are considered, and some of their potential strengths and weaknesses are discussed.