Effect of Data Inaccuracy on Tests of Space-Time Interaction

• NCJ Number: 249179
• Journal: Transactions in GIS Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2013 Pages: 426-451
• Author(s): Nicolas Malizia
• Date Published: June 2013
• Length: 26 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2009-SQ-B9-K101
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Flexible Geospatial Visual Analytics and Simulation Technologies to Enhance Criminal Justice Decision Support Systems

Annotation

Space-time event data are often subject to deficiencies in location accuracy, temporal accuracy, and completeness; this study explores how these failings in the quality of input data may affect the results of global space-time interaction tests.

Abstract

Although previous work has partially investigated the impact of location inaccuracy on the results of these tests, more work remains. The impacts of temporal inaccuracy and incomplete data-reporting on the results of these tests are unexplored. The current study examined the influence of these problems individually and collectively, using a series of simulations. Findings show that even in cases of slight inaccuracy or under-reporting, the consequences on results are potentially severe. Although the study is couched in terms of data inaccuracy, its relevance to situations where inaccuracy is replaced with uncertainty is self-evident. (Publisher abstract)