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The geography of farm-size variation has tended to overlook the relationships between physical size and agricultural productivity. This paper remedies that deficiency by explicitly considering the mechanisms promoting viability across the spectrum of farm-size gradation. Aspects of internal and external economies of scale, interfarm competition, local comparative advantage, and spatial separation are incorporated in a conceptual framework developed for a Canadian Prairie setting (Manitoba). In addition, social and cultural influences on the farm-size determinants are monitored. An equation system is established consisting of three structural equations, one each for large farms, medium-size farms, and small farms, and is calibrated by using two-stage least-squares regression. Results indicate that regional factors tend to overshadow the indices of economies of scale, but that efficiency considerations vary according to the size of farm.

A considerable amount of recent literature on development pole concepts contains criticism that there is no adequate unifying 'theory' to underpin the concepts. This paper attempts to trace the conceptual evolution of development pole theory in order to isolate some of the causes of theoretical confusion. It concludes with a plea for integration of both the sectoral and spatial aspects of polarization.

"The most user-friendly and authoritative resource on missing data has been completely revised to make room for the latest developments that make handling missing data more effective. The second edition includes new methods based on factored regressions, newer model-based imputation strategies, and innovations in Bayesian analysis. State-of-the-art technical literature on missing data is translated into accessible guidelines for applied researchers and graduate students. The second edition takes an even, three-pronged approach to maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), Bayesian estimation as an alternative to MLE, and multiple imputation. Consistently organized chapters explain the rationale and procedural details for each technique and illustrate the analyses with engaging worked-through examples on such topics as young adult smoking, employee turnover, and chronic pain. The companion website includes datasets and analysis examples from the book, up-to-date software information, and other resources. Subject areas/Key words: advanced quantitative methods, management, survey, longitudinal, structural equation modeling, handling, how to handle, incomplete, multivariate, social research, behavioral sciences, statistical techniques, textbooks, seminars, doctoral courses, multiple imputation, models, MCAR, MNAR, Bayesian Audience: Researchers and graduate students in psychology, education, management, family studies, public health, sociology, and political science"--