Nearest Neighbor Analysis

Nearest Neighbor Analysis is a method used to understand patterns in spatial data. It examines the distribution of points, such as locations of trees in a forest or crime incidents in a city, by measuring the distance between each point and its closest neighbor. This analysis helps determine whether points are clustered together, evenly spaced, or randomly distributed. By comparing actual distances to what would be expected in a random arrangement, researchers can gain insights into spatial relationships and identify trends, revealing important information about the data's underlying structure.