nearest neighbour

• what is nearest neighbour used for?

  it is a statistical tool that is used to give a numerical value to the spatial distribution of whatever is being studied

  this result can be used to identify whether the date is randomly spread, regularly spaced, or clustered

  if the numerical value is closer to 0, the data is clustered

  if the numerical value is closest to 1, the data is random

  if the numerical value is closer to 2.15, the data is regular
• what are the advantages to using nearest neighbour?

  provides an objective numerical answer, clearly allowing one of the three possible outcomes to be identified.

  it can be used to compare one area to another, or to compare how an area has changed over time
• what are the limitations of using nearest neighbour?

  a large sample (30+) is needed to give clear and reliable results

  the areas being compared must be similar sizes, or else comparisons will be invalid

  if the areas chosen are too large, the final value will be lowered, making the results inaccurate

  distortion can occur within the areas, such as in valleys

  boundaries of an area can be difficult to define