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Review of Spatial Analysis as a Geographic Information Management Tool

Received: 24 November 2023    Accepted: 8 December 2023    Published: 11 January 2024
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Abstract

Spatial analysis is a field of study that utilizes geographic or spatial information to understand and analyze patterns, relationships, and trends in data. It is characterized by the use of geographic information, which allows for the analysis of data in the context of its location and surroundings. It is different from aspatial techniques which do not consider the geographic context and may not provide as complete of an understanding of the data. Spatial analysis is applied in a variety of fields which includes urban and regional planning, crime rate investigation, public health studies and epidemiology, environmental science, geosciences, marketing, and to gain insights and make decisions about complex spatial problems. The aim of this review paper is to explain the concept of spatial analysis as a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool, differentiate it from aspatial techniques, discuss different spatial analysis techniques including buffer, interpolation, and kernel density analysis, and highlight its importance. The paper followed a methodology that involved multiple definitions of spatial analysis from various sources. Comparative analysis of spatial and aspatial datasets and techniques was conducted, followed by application of spatial analysis in various fields including land cover classification, public health management, solid waste disposal management, and identification of the impact of urban sprawl. Applications of spatial analysis techniques were also reviewed. The importance of this paper lies in its contribution to the understanding and utilization of spatial analysis as a GIS tool. By explaining the concept, differentiating it from non-spatial techniques, and providing examples of its applications, the paper highlights the significance and potential of spatial analysis in various fields.

Published in American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management (Volume 9, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajetm.20240901.12
Page(s) 8-20
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Aspatial Technique, Buffer Analysis, Epidemiology, Interpolation, Kernel Density

References
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[4] Goodchild, M. F., Longley, P. A The future of GIS and spatial analysis. Geographical information systems, 1999, 1, 567-580.
[5] Ayuba, B., Mugu, B. A., Tanko, H., Bulus, S. J Geo-Spatial analysis of crime in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. Science World Journal, 2017, 11 (4), eISSN: 1597-6343.
[6] Owoeye, J. O., Akinluyi, F. O Geospatial analysis of land cover change and urban sprawl trend in Akure region, Nigeria. Art Human Open Acc J., 2018, 2 (1), 13-19. DOI: 10.15406/ahoaj.2018.02.00028.
[7] Cordes, J., Castro, M. C. Spatial analysis of COVID-19 clusters and contextual factors in New York City. Spatial and Spatio-temporal Epidemiology, 2020, 34, 100355, ISSN 1877-5845, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sste.2020.100355. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877584520300332).
[8] Taran, A., Alfanatseh, A., Rawashdeh, S., Almayouf, F. The Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Corona Pandemic in Jordan using the Geographic Information System: An Applied Geographical Study. Indonesian Journal of Geography, 2023, 55(1), 155-166, ISSN 2354-9114 (online), ISSN 0024-9521 (print), DOI: 10.22146/ijg.73663 website: htps://jurnal.ugm.ac.id/ijg
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[13] Longley, P. A., Goodchild, M. F., Maguire, D. J., Rhind, D. W Geographic Information Science and Systems. John Wiley & Sons, 2015.
[14] Ye, C., Wang, M., Li, J Derivation of the characteristics of the Surface Urban Heat Island in the Greater Toronto area using thermal infrared remote sensing. Remote Sens. Lett., 2017, 8, 637–646.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Charles, A. C., Armstrong, A., Nnamdi, O. C., Innocent, M. T., Obiageri, N. J., et al. (2024). Review of Spatial Analysis as a Geographic Information Management Tool. American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 9(1), 8-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20240901.12

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    ACS Style

    Charles, A. C.; Armstrong, A.; Nnamdi, O. C.; Innocent, M. T.; Obiageri, N. J., et al. Review of Spatial Analysis as a Geographic Information Management Tool. Am. J. Eng. Technol. Manag. 2024, 9(1), 8-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ajetm.20240901.12

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    AMA Style

    Charles AC, Armstrong A, Nnamdi OC, Innocent MT, Obiageri NJ, et al. Review of Spatial Analysis as a Geographic Information Management Tool. Am J Eng Technol Manag. 2024;9(1):8-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ajetm.20240901.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajetm.20240901.12,
      author = {Agoha Chidiebere Charles and Awuzie Armstrong and Onwubuariri Chukwuebuka Nnamdi and Mgbeojedo Tochukwu Innocent and Njoku Joy Obiageri and Akiang Francis Begianpuye and Epuerie Emeka Timothy},
      title = {Review of Spatial Analysis as a Geographic Information Management Tool},
      journal = {American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management},
      volume = {9},
      number = {1},
      pages = {8-20},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajetm.20240901.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20240901.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajetm.20240901.12},
      abstract = {Spatial analysis is a field of study that utilizes geographic or spatial information to understand and analyze patterns, relationships, and trends in data. It is characterized by the use of geographic information, which allows for the analysis of data in the context of its location and surroundings. It is different from aspatial techniques which do not consider the geographic context and may not provide as complete of an understanding of the data. Spatial analysis is applied in a variety of fields which includes urban and regional planning, crime rate investigation, public health studies and epidemiology, environmental science, geosciences, marketing, and to gain insights and make decisions about complex spatial problems. The aim of this review paper is to explain the concept of spatial analysis as a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool, differentiate it from aspatial techniques, discuss different spatial analysis techniques including buffer, interpolation, and kernel density analysis, and highlight its importance. The paper followed a methodology that involved multiple definitions of spatial analysis from various sources. Comparative analysis of spatial and aspatial datasets and techniques was conducted, followed by application of spatial analysis in various fields including land cover classification, public health management, solid waste disposal management, and identification of the impact of urban sprawl. Applications of spatial analysis techniques were also reviewed. The importance of this paper lies in its contribution to the understanding and utilization of spatial analysis as a GIS tool. By explaining the concept, differentiating it from non-spatial techniques, and providing examples of its applications, the paper highlights the significance and potential of spatial analysis in various fields.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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Author Information
  • Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Physics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

  • Geophysical Department, Arab Centre for Engineering Studies, Doha, Qatar

  • Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Physics/Electronics, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria

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