Handbook of Applied Spatial Analysis

Software Tools, Methods and Applications

Fischer, Manfred M.; Getis, Arthur (Eds.)

2010, XVI, 811 p. 190 illus., Hardcover

ISBN: 978-3-642-03646-0

Chapter A.1:  Spatial Statistics in ArcGIS, by Lauren M. Scott and Mark V. Janikas

“Tools to perform spatial analysis have been extended over the years to include geostatistical techniques (Smith et al. 2006), raster analysis (Tomlin 1990), analytical methods for business (Pick 2008), 3D analysis (Abdul-Rahman et al. 2006), network analytics (Okabe et al. 2006), space-time dynamics (Peuquet 2002), and techniques specific to a variety of industries (e.g., Miller and Shaw 2001). In 2004, a new set of spatial statistics tools designed to describe feature patterns was added to ArcGIS 9. This chapter focuses on the methods and models found in the Spatial Statistics toolbox.

“Spatial statistics comprises a set of techniques for describing and modeling spatial data. In many ways they extend what the mind and eyes do, intuitively, to assess spatial patterns, distributions, trends, processes and relationships. Unlike traditional (non-spatial) statistical techniques, spatial statistical techniques actually use space – area, length, proximity, orientation, or spatial relationships – directly in their mathematics (Scott and Getis 2008).”

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