Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
11
Summary
Review of key concepts
11.1
h e topic has introduced a range of general concepts and specii c approaches for spa-
tial data analysis. From data models to aspatial statistics, moving windows, geographi-
cal weights, and spatial autocorrelation to methods for overlay of vector features, local
regression, analysis of point patterns, and spatial interpolation, the focus has been broad.
Chapter 2 introduced a range of core ideas, including data models, databases, spatial
scale, spatial data collection, data errors, visualization, and simple data queries. In
Chapter 3, some basic statistical approaches were detailed to give background for the
spatial statistical methods presented later in the topic. Chapter 4 was concerned initially
with measurement of distances and areas. h e following sections dealt with moving win-
dows, geographical weights, the concepts of spatial dependence and autocorrelation, and
the ecological fallacy, and the modii able areal unit problem. In Chapter 5, overlay of dif-
ferent features and identii cation of areas fuli lling a range of criteria were the focus.
Chapter 6 dealt with the characterization and analysis of networks. Chapter 7 outlined
some approaches for analysing point patterns. In Chapter 8, various methods for explor-
ing spatial patterning in variables were detailed. In particular, approaches for charac-
terizing spatial structure in single variables (i.e. the degree to which values close together
in space are similar) and methods for analysing geographical variations in the relation-
ships between dif erent variables were illustrated. Chapter 9 presented methods for spa-
tial interpolation and Chapter 10 was concerned with the analysis of grids and surfaces.
While the focus is quite broad there are links running through the topic that relate
to the general approaches used. For example, the methods outlined in Chapters 7, 8, 9
and 10 make use of geographical weighting schemes. Spatial data analysis encom-
passes a very large array of methodological frameworks developed to overcome a huge
variety of dif erent problems. h e range of approaches introduced has been from
methods simply for exploring spatial patterns, to methods for assessing how meaning-
ful (in some sense) those patterns might be, through to methods for i nding optimal
solutions to problems (e.g. the shortest path or the most suitable area) and methods
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