Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
tion, and (3) using the spatial variation model to determine interpolation
weights. The mathematics are summarized by a number of authors. Plate 13
shows an example of kriging.
Review Questions
1. What is spatial autocorrelation?
2. What is the “ecological fallacy”?
3. Why aren't geographical things and events random?
4. Why is statistical validity important? What are the two types?
5. How are geostatistics used in terrain analysis?
6. What parameters impact chi-square analysis?
7. Explain the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem.
8. What is the basic concept behind geostatistical analysis?
9. What is “spatial interpolation”?
10. What do patterns signify about processes in geostatistics?
Answers
1. What is spatial autocorrelation?
Geographic data sets are neither random nor samples; as Waldo Tobler
stated, “near things are more related than distant things.” Any geographic
data will be affected by its location.
2. What is the “ecological fallacy”?
The ecological fallacy refers to the assumption that the statistical relation-
ship observed at one level of aggregation holds at a more detailed level.
3. Why aren't geographical things and events random?
The characteristics and processes of things and events are affected by
where they occur.
4. Why is statistical validity important? What are the two types?
Statistical validity measures the reliability of data and analysis. The two
types are internal and external validity. Internal validity considers compari-
sons between measurements made at the same place over time. External
validity considers how well data compares to similar measures from other
places, other instruments, other types of observations, and other ways of
recording data.
5. How are geostatistics used in terrain analysis?
Geostatics can be used in different ways for terrain analysis. A distinction
can be made between the initial geostatistical analysis of terrain and analy-
sis that evaluates hypotheses and ideas generated from existing observa-
tions.
6. What parameters impact chi-square analysis?
The distance and placement of observations have considerable impacts on
chi-square analysis.
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