Spatial and Environmental Statistics

Most environmental and social phenomena have a geographic component. Air pollutant levels may accumulate near smokestacks; voters in the midwestern United States tend to vote Republican; high rates of disease are often clustered.

These patterns present both an opportunity and a challenge to modern scientific research:

Opportunity – researchers can use geographic patterns in environmental, social or other data to improve predictions and identify clusters, hot spots or other important areas. Visually representing spatial patterns often provokes new and interesting directions in the research.

Challenge – from a statistical standpoint, data with geographic patterns tend to violate traditional statistical assumptions such as the assumption of independence. Ignoring geographic patterns can lead to statistical distortions and erroneous conclusions

can help you with both the opportunities and challenges presented by spatial patterns. We can help improve predictions and identify hotspots. At the same time, we will help you address the statistical issues and account for violations of statical assumptions.

© 2007 ZevRoss Spatial Analysis