UCM Procedure

Modeling Regression Effects

A predictor variable can affect the response variable in a variety of ways. The UCM procedure enables you to model several different types of predictor-response relationships:

  • The predictor-response relationship is linear, and the regression coefficient does not change with time. This is the simplest kind of relationship and such predictors are specified in the MODEL statement.

  • The predictor-response relationship is linear, but the regression coefficient does change with time. Such predictors are specified in the RANDOMREG statement. Here the regression coefficient is assumed to evolve as a random walk.

  • The predictor-response relationship is nonlinear and the relationship can change with time. This type of relationship can be approximated by an appropriate time-varying spline. Such predictors are specified in the SPLINEREG statement.

  • The response depends on contemporaneous and lagged values of the predictor. This type of relationship is called transfer-function relationship, which can be specified in the TF statement.

A response variable can depend on its own past values—that is, lagged dependent values. Such a relationship can be specified in the DEPLAG statement.

Last updated: July 09, 2026