point pattern analysis
nounUK /pɔɪnt ˈpætən əˈnæləsɪs/
US /pɔɪnt ˈpætərn əˈnæləsɪs/
A way to study where things are placed to see if there is a pattern.
The scientist used point pattern analysis to see if the trees grew in clusters.
SYNONYMS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A set of math tools that check if dots on a map are random, clustered, or spread out.
Point pattern analysis showed the shops were clustered near the station.
3. A method in geography for comparing the locations of events like crimes or diseases.
Point pattern analysis helped find hot spots of the disease.
4. A way to test whether the positions of objects follow a known rule.
Using point pattern analysis, they found the nests were not placed randomly.