Spatial Data Analysis 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.