Bayesian Analysis of Spatial Generalized Linear Mixed Models with Laplace Random Fields

Abstract: Gaussian random field (GRF) models are widely used in spatial statistics to capture spatially correlated error. We investigate the results of replacing Gaussian processes with Laplace moving averages (LMAs) in spatial generalized linear mixed models (SGLMMs). We demonstrate that LMAs offer improved predictive power when the data exhibits localized spikes in the response. SGLMMs with LMAs are shown to maintain analogous parameter inference and similar computing to Gaussian SGLMMs. We propose a novel discrete space LMA model for irregular lattices and construct conjugate samplers for LMAs with georeferenced and areal support. We provide a Bayesian analysis of SGLMMs with LMAs and GRFs over multiple data support and response types.