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A History of Regression: Actors, Networks, Machines, and Numbers

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  • T J Barnes

    (Department of Geography, 1984 West Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada)

Abstract

In this paper the history of correlation and regression analyses, both in the discipline of statistics generally and in human geography particularly, is examined. It is argued that correlation and regression analysis emerged from a particular social and cultural context, and that this context entered into the very nature of those techniques. The paper is divided into three sections. First, to counter the idea that mathematics and statistics are somehow outside the social, the arguments put forward by David Bloor and Bruno Latour suggesting that mathematical propositions arc socially constructed are briefly reviewed. Second, using the ideas of both Bloor and Latour I turn to the development of statistics as an intellectual discipline during the 19th century, and specifically to the invention of correlation and regression at the end of that period. It is argued that the development of statistics as a discipline and its associated techniques are both stamped by, but also leave their stamp on, the wider society in which they are set. Last, the importation of correlation and regression analyses into human geography which occurred in the 1950s is examined. Following my general social constructionist argument, it is suggested that because of the difference in context the correlation and regression analyses devised in the late 19th century were often inappropriate for mid-20th century spatial science.

Suggested Citation

  • T J Barnes, 1998. "A History of Regression: Actors, Networks, Machines, and Numbers," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 30(2), pages 203-223, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:30:y:1998:i:2:p:203-223
    DOI: 10.1068/a300203
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mirowski, Philip, 1989. "The Probabilistic Counter-Revolution, or How Stochastic Concepts Came to Neoclassical Economic Theory," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 41(1), pages 217-235, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. John Henneberry & Claire Roberts, 2008. "Calculated Inequality? Portfolio Benchmarking and Regional Office Property Investment in the UK," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 45(5-6), pages 1217-1241, May.
    2. Elvin Wyly, 2015. "Gentrification on the planetary urban frontier: The evolution of Turner’s noösphere," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 52(14), pages 2515-2550, November.

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