The research raised interesting issues of of how visualisation can be used to assist exploratory and other forms of spatial data analysis. Haining and Wise obtained a small grant at the end of 1997 from ESRC/JISC to carry out a comparative analysis of software systems and a paper is due out in E&P A reporting that assessment. A further paper was presented at this years ERSA describing a conceptual framework for the development of visual tools for exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and using this to critique SAGE.
My contribution to the workshop would hinge on the development of SAGE
as an interactive software system for ESDA but focussing on the development
of visualisation tools. We see the development of such tools as critical
in the sense of allowing wider participation in the process of extracting
information from spatial data. Such a process need not be the exclusive
domain of the “spatial statistical specialist” nor the domain of the “automated
pattern spotter”. Using intuitive but informative tools it becomes possible
to engage a wide range of interested parties in seeking to tease out important
information from large data sets. We already have some limited experience
of this with Sheffield Health in constructing deprivation regions for Sheffield.
Another area of research interest is spatial price competition. I am involved in an international collaborative project with colleagues in the United States examining competition between firms located in an urban area. Empirical aspects of the research are based on US and UK case studies.
Several postgraduate research studentships have been linked to these areas of research over the past five years. External funding has been obtained from the ESRC, Health Authorities and from the CVCP overseas students scholarships scheme.
“Classifying space and analysing the consequences” In W.Gaul and D.Pfeifer (eds) From Data to Knowledge: Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Classification, Data Analysis and Knowledge Organization, 1996, 45-57. Springer Verlag, Berlin.
“Design of a software system for interactive spatial statistical analysis linked to a GIS” Computational Statistics,1996,11, 449-466 (with S.Wise and J.Ma).
“An integrated regionalisation of earthquake, flood and drought hazards in China” Transactions in GIS, 1997, 2, 25-44.
“Regionalisation tools for the exploratory spatial analysis of health data”. In M.Fischer and A.Getis (eds) Recent Developments in Spatial Analysis:spatial statistics, behavioural modelling and neurocomputing, 1997, 83-100. Springer, Berlin. (with S.Wise and J.Ma)
“Error propagation modelling in raster GIS: overlay operations”. Int. Journal of Geog. Info. Sc., 1998, 12, 145-167 (with D.Griffith, G.Arbia).
“Exploratory spatial data analysis in a GIS environment” The Statistician, 1998, 47, 457-69.
“Scientific visualization and the exploratory analysis of area based data” Environment and Planning, A. (Accepted subject to minor changes).
“Providing scientific visualization for spatial data analysis: criteria and an assessment of SAGE” Paper presented to European Regional Science Association, Vienna, August 1998. To be submitted to Jo. Geog. Systems
“Spatial statistics and the analysis of health data”. In A.C.Gatrell and M.Loytonen (eds). Proceedings of the GISDATA conference on GIS and Health 1996). Publication date: August 1998. Taylor and Francis, London.
“SAGE - an interactive package for spatial statistical analysis in a GIS environment” Submitted to Jo. Geog. Systems.