Nearest Neighbour Analysis

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Glossary

Nearest Neighbour Analysis:Nearest neighbour analysis examines the distances between each
point and the closest point to it (Fotheringham, et al 1994 and Wulder, 1999). The Nearest
neighbour is a method of exploring distribution of human activities by comparing graphically the
observed distribution with the expected nearest neighbour distances.It describes distribution of
points according to their distances.

The Nearest neighbour index: The study of settlements in order to discern any regularity in
spacing by comparing the actual pattern of settlement with a theoretical random pattern. The
straight line distance from each settlement to its nearest neighbour is measured and this is
divided by the total number of settlements to give the observed mean distance between nearest
neighbours. The density of points is calculated as:

where Rn is the nearest neighbour index. An index of 0 indicates a completely clustered situation.
1 shows a random pattern, and 2.5 a uniform /regular pattern.

Spatial Association:Spatial association is the assumed close relationship between two or more
items (objects or structural elements) in terms of their physical proximity. In other words, the
distribution of an phenomenon is spatially related to the distribution of another.
Clustered Pattern:A clustered arrangement is one that appears in bunches and separated by gaps.
Nearest Neighbour value of 0 indicates a perfect clustered distribution.
Random Pattern:A random pattern is one in which the spacing could have been determined by
chance or by using the random number table. Randomness value Rn around 1.0 indicates a
random distribution.
Regular/uniforn Pattern:A uniform pattern occurs when the interval between points are almost
similar. Nearest Neighbour value of 2.15 indicates a perfectly uniform distribution.

References and Further Readings

Davis, P. (1988): Science in Geography , Data description and presentation, Oxford

University Press, Hong Kong, pp 32 – 35.
Kothari, C.R. (2013): Research Methodology, Methods and Techniques, New Age
International Publishers, New Delhi-110002.
Mahmood, A. (1986): Statistical Methods in GeographicalStudies, Rajesh Publications, New
Delhi- 110002.
Sahu, B.K. (2004): Statistics in Psychology and Education, Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi,
110002
Smith.David, M. (1975): Patterns in Human Geography, Penguin Books Limited, Auckland,
New Zealand, pp 175 – 185.
S, Murray. R. (1972): Schaum’s Outline of Theory and Problems of Statistics, McGraw-Hill
Book Company, Singapore.