Statistical Detection and Surveillance of Geographic Clusters

Peter Rogerson, Ikuho Yamada

• Introduction and Overview. Introductory Spatial Statistics: Description and Inference. Global Statistics. Local Statistics. Tests for the Detection of Clustering, Including Scan Statistics. Retrospective Detection of Changing Spatial Patterns. Introduction to Statistical Process Control and Nonspatial Cumulative Sum Methods of Surveillance. Spatial Surveillance and the Monitoring of Global Statistics. Cusum Charts for Local Statistics and for the Simultaneous Monitoring of Many Regions. More Approaches to the Statistical Surveillance of Geographic Clustering. Summary: Associated Tests for Cluster Detection and Surveillance.

Researchers in a surprisingly diverse range of disciplines find themselves faced with problems needing the methods that are described in this book: the detection of anomalous groupings of objects or events within geographical distributions. … Chapters 7–10 [explore] methods for the prospective detection of changes as they occur. This area is rapidly becoming increasingly important in applications such as detecting outbreaks of disease, fraud and even potential terrorist activity. The book is liberally illustrated with real examples and data … a good introduction to the ideas for students encountering them for the first time.—Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series A, 2010Attractive features of this book are: (1) introduction of various statistical methods/tests for geographic clusters and surveillance, (2) many figures and tables to facilitate understanding, and (3) illustration of each method with real data. … readers who are particularly interested in surveillance will find this book a helpful guide.—Journal of the American Statistical Association, Sept. 2010, Vol. 105, No. 491In contrast to most edited books, the authors’ text provides a comprehensive presentation that will provide a valuable reference source for years to come. I recommend that anyone working with geographic information systems (GIS) consult this volume, as there are many valuable nuggets of information—many unexpected!—International Statistical Review, 2009