In this paper we take a spatial statistics approach to examine the Taiwan's urban-rural gap in educational attainment. The spatial autocorrelation statistics measure the degree of dependency among observations in a geo-space so that the spatial clustering association and intensity of the data at proximal locations can be analyzed. Based on the data on the subject competency test in 2007, along with the zip code of students' permanent residence, we integrate spatial statistics and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to graphically map the clustering patterns of test scores across the 358 townships of Taiwan. In that sense, the spatial clustering index provides a better view into the spatial distribution of test performance, and highlights the magnitude of the unbalanced education development over the Taiwan region. The contributions of this paper are threefold: First, we spatially depict the urban-rural disparity in educational attainment so as to avoid artificial data division imposed by administrative districts. As a result, the problem of the aggregation bias can be eliminated. Second, our empirical finding indicates that the academic performance in a part of the townships is significantly greater than that in metropolitan areas. But contrary to common belief, test outcomes in several urban areas are not as exceptional as observed by the previous studies. Finally, the scattering of spatial outliers reveals the inherent problems and the promising solutions for improvement of educational resources allocation.

Although the living arrangements of first married couples (FMC) are influenced by the original shape of Chinese family composition, patriarchal tradition, and the development of family structure, little attention has been given to this topic. In order to clarify the phenomenon of new household formation, this study introduced the resource theory and life course perspective. The data used combined two-waves and two panels (RI 1999, RII 2000, RI 2000 and RII 2001) of the ”Panel Study of Family Dynamics” (PSFD), with 1,176 valid FMCs selected in total. Two logistic regression models were employed to figure out the living arrangements decision of newlywed couples, including neolocal, patrilocal or matrilocal residence. The results find that those who married at a younger age, the later marriage cohort, and those experienced leaving home for work are more likely to choose to live independently. The couple relative power model estimations are similar to husband's findings. The predominant party of the FMC tend to decide to reside with their own family. Most research results supported the life course and resource theory, except for the education variable's effects on the living arrangements. Contrary to hypotheses, the newly married husbands with higher education achievement are more likely to choose intergenerational co-residence or even matrilocal residence.

Introducing the concept of a ”design matrix”, this paper relates the regression analysis, the analysis of variance, and the analysis of frequency counts to the use of the least squares method. It is demonstrated with some simplified examples showing that, given a properly arranged design matrix, the analyses of means, probabilities, and frequencies share the same least squares approach as that of the regression analysis. Special attention is called to the ”orthogonal” design matrix which results in independent parameter estimations jointly. Researchers are urged to review the possible arrangements of the design matrix before actually doing on the estimation.

The purpose of this research is to explore how Taiwanese migrants select their residential locations when they move overseas using the concepts of collective memory, transnationalism and social capital.
The methods employed in this research included a review of the 2001 Canadian Census data, followed by an extensive literature survey on the socio-demographic characteristics of Taiwanese migrants in Vancouver and Toronto before a total of 40 in-depth interviews were carried out in the two cities, investigating how their decisions were made in choosing their residential location.
This research finds that most Taiwanese migrants chose to live in Vancouver and Toronto. The mild climate and pleasant environment were the main determinants they cited for deciding to live in Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond were the specific suburbs they congregated in. For those who chose to settle in Toronto, they did so mainly for family and education reasons; and Toronto, Mississauga, Markham and Richmond Hill were the locations in which they preferred to settle.
Having spent time living between Canada and Taiwan, these migrants had constructed a transnational space that allows them not only to fuse the cultures between the two places, but also to build social networks and social capital that enable collective memory to develop, further encouraging information on residential suburbs to spread. In turn, these locations acquired an identity as preferred choices for urban living among Taiwanese immigrants.