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Host institution
Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science (CSISS)
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA
Instructors
Arthur Getis - Workshop Coordinator,
John R. Weeks, and Jared Aldstadt (all of San Diego State University),
and Michael F. Goodchild (University of California, Santa Barbara)
The Workshop
 This workshop focuses on applications of pattern analysis in a Geographic Information Systems environment. It features:
- a series of illustrated lectures on both GIS and spatial pattern analysis
- exercises demonstrating the principles outlined in the lectures
- data exploration based on current projects concerned with spatial patterns relating to various social, behavioral, and economic phenomena.
The workshop lectures will emphasize the fundamental principles and examples of the use of spatial pattern analysis for the help it gives toward the solution of important societal questions. Demonstrating concepts covered in the lectures, exercises will utilize a variety of software tools including ArcInfo 8.0, Point Pattern Analysis, and ClusterSeer software. The data exploration portion of the workshop will consist of GIS-based analyses of spatial data related to
- the incidences of various crimes within an urban environment
- the spread of infectious diseases in the tropics
- the diffusion of fertility decline in a third world setting
- variables selected by the participants prior to the workshop.
Participants will prepare a final report of their GIS-based analyses.
Workshop Leaders
 Arthur Getis, Michael Goodchild, John Weeks, and Jared Aldstadt will conduct the workshop.
Professor Getis, San Diego State University, has had a long association with spatial statistics, especially in the area of point pattern analysis. Perhaps his best known work is the collaborative effort in which he has been engaged with Professor J. Keith Ord (Georgetown University) on the development of a series of mainly locally based spatial association statistics.
Professor Goodchild is best known for his work in geographic information systems and digital libraries. He is Professor of Geography at UC Santa Barbara, Director of CSISS, and Associate Director of the Alexandria Digital Library.
Professor Weeks, San Diego State University, is a well-known demographer and author of the standard textbook in the field, now in its 8th edition. He is immediate past-president of the Association of American Geographers specialty group on population geography. Professor Weeks has broad experience in the social sciences, having taught in both the Departments of Geography and Sociology at SDSU and currently is the principal investigator of an NSF project.
Mr. Aldstadt is a student and research assistant in the Master's Program at SDSU. He expects to begin working on the doctorate in Fall 2002. He has considerable experience in geographic information systems and econometric modeling.
Pedagogical Goals
 The workshop will be geared toward PhD candidates and young faculty members in the social sciences and health related disciplines. The purposes are not only to inform those new to spatial pattern analysis about its uses, but also to instill in them a fundamental understanding of the importance of spatial thinking and spatial concern. In the spirit of CSISS, we hope to "facilitate intensive cross-fertilization of research ideas…" among a diverse group from fields such as political science, criminal justice, epidemiology, sociology, and anthropology. The workshop will attempt to extend the analytical power of spatial analysis to social science. Participants will be encouraged to bring with them a georeferenced data set in which they have a particular interest. They will be informed beforehand of possible web sites where such data are available. Data will be made available to those without personal data sets. Participants will take part in the development and discussion of a report that they create on the use of spatial pattern analysis.
Cost
There are no registration fees associated with CSISS workshops. Eligibility for attendance is determined through a competitive application process. Additionally, successful applicants may receive a $500 scholarship to help offset travel and lodging expenses. Full details will be outlined in letters of acceptance.
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