GE 311

Geographic Information System

LECTURE 8
Spatial Analysis
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
 The true power of GIS lies in the ability to perform analysis.
Spatial Analysis is a process in which you model problems
geographically, derive results by computer processing, and
then explore and examine those results.
This type of analysis has proven to be highly effective for
evaluating the geographic suitability of certain locations for
specific purposes, estimating and predicting outcomes,
interpreting and understanding change, detecting important
patterns hidden in your information, and much more.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS OF
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
 Ask & Explore
Model and Compute
Examine & Interpret
Make Decisions
Share Results
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS OF
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
 Ask & Explore
•Set the goals for your analysis
•Begin with a well-framed question
that you’d like to address based on
your understanding of the problem.
•Getting the question right is key to
deriving meaningful results.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS OF
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
 Model & Compute
•Use geoprocessing to model and compute
results that enable you to address the questions
you pose.
•Choose the set of analysis tools that transform
your data into new results.
•More often than not, you’ll build a model that
assembles multiple tools to model your
scenarios, and then apply yoru model to
compute and derive results that help you
address your question.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS OF
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
 Examine & Interpret
•Use spatial data exploration workflows to
examine, explore, and interpret your results
using interactive maps, reports, charts, graphs,
and information pop-ups.
• Seek explanations for the patterns you see and
that help explain what the results mean.
•Effective exploration enables you to add your
own perspectives and interpretations to your
results.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS OF
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
 Make Decisions
•After exploring and interpreting your analytical
results, make a decision and write up your
conclusions and analytical results.
•Assess how adequately your results provide a
useful answer to your original analysis question.
•Often new questions will arise that need to be
addressed and these will frequently lead to
further analysis.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS OF
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
 Share Results
•Identify the audience that will
benefit from your findings and whom
you want to influence.
•Then use maps, pop-ups, graphs and
charts that communicate your results
efficiently and effectively.
SPATIAL ANALYSIS AS A PROCESS
SPATIAL ANALYSIS WITH
ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGIES
SPATIAL ANALYSIS WITH
ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGIES
THE BIRTH OF SPATIAL ANALYSIS

•At the age of 41, John Snow faced the greatest challenge of his
life. Cholera broke out in Soho, England.
•During the outbreak, there were two beliefs about how cholera
spread. (1) Air pollution was the cause. (2) And those who were
skeptics of it.
•By overlaying the city’s drinking water supply with cholera
cases, he used spatial analysis to understand their geographic
relationship. Thus, he traced the source to a contaminated water
pump.
MODELING SPATIAL WORLD

•In general terms, a model is a representation of reality.

•Due to the inherent complexity of the world and the
interactions in it, models are created as a simplified,
manageable view of reality.
•Models help you understand, describe, and predict how
things work in the real world.
SPATIAL ANALYST TOOLSET
PER INNOVATIVE TASK (FINALS)

Cite a research paper that involves Spatial Analysis and

prepare a technical report. It should include the following:
1. Introduction
2. Datasets Used
2. Methodology
3. Results and Discussion
4. Think and Write the title of your own research study that
includes Spatial Analysis.
THANK YOU!