Meth Lab Analysis Week

Project 3 - OLS Analysis

GIS 4930

This week we delved into the world of Statistical Analysis in GIS.  Specifically the Ordinary least squares and geographic weighted regression.  Below is the OLS table and the map showing the results of that OLS analysis.  I followed the lab, and feel that my results fell within the directions given.  As this type of analysis is widely uses, I would like to have a more in depth understanding of it.  Statistical analysis is not a strong point of mine, and I felt I need to understand it better.

The map itself turned out quite well and produced the results I theorized it would.  Meth labs would be more likely to appear inside the urban populated area of Charleston WV.  Rather than show the Standard Residual and the decimal breakdown, I took the time to make it more readable to my viewers by describing where there may be trends in the legend.  I felt showing a digital values limited your audience, as most people would not understand what the Standard Residual values mean.  As this map targets law enforcement and not my GIS peers this only makes sense.  Also, I left the Inset to the Charleston area as this is the focus of most of the meth lab increase likeliness.  

Overall, this project was a bit difficult to understand and move forward on.  I would like to have more time to focus on understanding this type of statistical analysis in a more confined study with limited variables so I can see and understand the significance of the statistical changes.  Although advanced, I did understand the basic principles, but not to the level I feel I should.