GG361 - Spatial Analysis

Midterm (20%)

What are the 3 stages of Spatial Analysis?

1. Mapping/geovisualization: show patterns.

2. Exploratory data analysis (EDA): discover patterns and relationships.

3. Spatial modelling: characterize relationships or predict outcomes.

What is spatial analysis, and how can GIS support it?

Spatial analysis examines geographic patterns and relationships. GIS supports it by mapping phenomena, overlaying spatial layers, extracting data, and building predictive models.

What did John Snow's 1854 Soho cholera map demonstrate?

Mapping disease cases can reveal spatial clusters and help investigate possible sources of an outbreak. This is an example of spatial analysis in epidemiology.

What is an odds ratio (OR), and how do you interpret it?

It compares the odds of an outcome between conditions. OR > 1 means higher odds; OR < 1 means lower odds; OR = 1 means equal odds. Always identify the reference category.

Does a spatial association prove causation?

No. An association indicates a relationship in the data, but it does not prove that one variable causes another. Maps and models help identify patterns and test explanations.