X-ray absorption Ni K-edge spectra are recorded for the following systems: Ni metal, Ni(NO_{3})_{2} • 6H_{2}0, Ni_{3}(PO_{4})_{2} • 6H_{2}0, NiSO_{4} • 6H_{2}0, NiCO_{3}, NiO and La_{2}NiO_{4} using a Cauchois-type bent crystal spectrograph. The chemical shift of these systems is correlated with the partial charge determined using Sanderson's method. On the basis of regression analysis a relation ΔE = A_{0} + A_{1}q + A_{2}q^{2} -A_{3}q^{3} + A_{4}q^{4} between the chemical shift, ΔE, and the partial charge, q, has been suggested. The discrepancy in the shift of NiO and La_{2}NiO_{4} has also been discussed.