Spatial Data Analysis in the Social and Environmental Sciences [Paperback]

A description of methods for the analysis of spatial data.Data description, map interpolation, exploratory and explanatory analyses are among the methods described that are currently available for the analyses of spatial data to students and research workers in the social and environmental sciences.Data description, map interpolation, exploratory and explanatory analyses are among the methods described that are currently available for the analyses of spatial data to students and research workers in the social and environmental sciences.A spatial data set is a data set in which each observation is referenced to a site or area. Within both the social and environmental sciences, much of the data collected is within a spatial context and requires statistical analysis for interpretation. The purpose of this book, therefore, is to describe to students and research workers in the social and environmental sciences the current methods available for the analyses of spatial data. Methods described include data description, map interpolation, exploratory and explanatory analyses. The book also examines how spatial referencing raises a distinctive set of issues for the data analyst and recognizes the need to test underlying statistical assumptions. Further, methods for detecting problems, assessing their seriousness and taking appropriate action are discussed.1. Introduction; 2. Issues in analysing spatial data; 3. Statistical models for spatial populations; 4. Statistical analysis of spatial populations; 5. Sampling spatial populations; 6. Preliminary analysis of spatial data; 7. Analysing univariate data sets; 8. Analysing multivariate data sets; Postscript; Glossary; References; Index. The book is well organized, and the choice of topics and the carefully selected references offer access points to a wide literature base. A modeling approach is emphasized, and the author does a noteworthy job of integrating a complex subject matter into a coherent framework....excellent book.lS'