Linking spatial patterns to processes

Colin Robertson and Jed Long

Chapter 5 in Handbook of Spatial Analysis in the Social Sciences, 2022, pp 85-99 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines the thorny issues underlying many spatial analysis techniques: how we relate the analysis of expressed patterns in geographic data to the underlying processes we are interested in making inferences about. In many fields that rely on quantitative analysis causal inference methods have gained popularity in recent years to overcome limitations of making conclusions from statistical associations in observational data. We examine this trend in the context of geographical analysis, and then consider how the current explosion in production of geographically referenced data changes our ability to learn about underlying spatial processes. We first explore these ideas in terms of well-developed ideas associated with causal theory and thinking. We then examine pattern process linkages through the lens of complexity, as we are often dealing with complex processes driving observable patterns. Finally, we discuss the issues of error and uncertainty in the context of spatial pattern measurement and the generation of spatial processes. A case study into the classic Cholera outbreak in London, 1854 (as mapped by John Snow) is used to illustrate some of the key issues and concepts covered in the chapter. Finally, we conclude with three ideas areas of future exploration (i. Spatial Comparison, ii) Spatial Simulation, and iii) Spatial Theory Development) that postulate how quantitative geography can begin to incorporate causal thinking into analytic methodology and develop tools to facilitate representation and investigation of realistic spatial processes.

Keywords: Development Studies; Economics and Finance; Environment; Geography; Research Methods; Sociology and Social Policy; Urban and Regional Studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.elgaronline.com/view/edcoll/9781789903942/9781789903942.00012.xml (application/pdf)
Our link check indicates that this URL is bad, the error code is: 503 Service Temporarily Unavailable

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:eechap:19110_5

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.e-elgar.com

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Chapters from Edward Elgar Publishing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Darrel McCalla ().