Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
7. Explain the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem.
The Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) is a special instance of the eco-
logical fallacy, that results when data collected at a more detailed level of
aggregation (e.g., census blocks, counties, biotopes) are aggregated to less
detailed levels (e.g., census tracts, states, watersheds). Results valid at one
level of aggregation may not be valid at another level.
8. What is the basic concept behind geostatistical analysis?
That patterns indicate geographic processes.
9. What is “spatial interpolation”?
Determining characteristics for places or areas based on existing observa-
tions.
10. What do patterns signify about processes in geostatistics?
Patterns indicate underlying processes and relationships in geostatistics.
Chapter Readings
Gould, P. R. (1970). Is
Stastix Inferens
the Geographical Name for a Wild Goose?
Eco-
nomic Geography
,
46
, 439-448.
Miller, H. (2004). Tobler's First Law and Spatial Analysis.
Annals of the Association of
American Geographers
,
94
(2), 284-289.
O'Sullivan, D., & D. J. Unwin. (2003).
Geographic Information Analysis
. New York:
Wiley.
Tobler, W. (1968). Transformations. In J. D. Nystuen (Ed.),
The Philosophy of Maps
.
Ann Arbor: University of Michigan.
Web Resources
An illustrated introduction to the application of basic geostatistical analysis in archae-
ology can be found online at
http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect15/Sect15_10.html.
A GIS-based terrain analysis exercise can be found online at
http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.
gov/public/outreach/gislessons/firetower_dem_dlg_analysis_lesson.pdf
For more archaeological examples, see
www.archaeophysics.com
A tutorial a real-life adventure in environmental decision making can be found online
at
www.nwer.sandia.gov/sample/ftp/tutorial.pdf
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