Distinguish the difference between common types of GIS analyses (exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory) and provide an example of each.

What will be an ideal response?

Ans: Exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory analyses are common types of GIS analyses engaged at different stages of investigating a research question. Exploratory analysis permits a GIS user to identify a phenomenon and whether there is a spatial pattern. For example, “What are the blood lead levels of children in different regions of Australia?” Descriptive analysis permits a GIS user to describe a phenomenon in terms of the nature of a spatial pattern, and how that pattern has changed over time. For example, “How has the blood lead levels of children in different regions of Australia varied over the past fifty years”? Explanatory analysis permits a GIS user to explain a phenomenon by showing what causes a pattern to change and differentiating the contribution of different factors to producing change. For example, “How has the blood lead levels of children in different regions of Australia varied over the past fifty years in relation to declining regional sales of leaded house paints and leaded gasoline?”