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Problems Affecting Overlays:

The Modifiable areal unit problems

The modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) occurs when arbitrarily defined boundaries are used for the measurement and reporting of spatial phenomena.  This means that the value of the entity recorded varies continuously over space. Although individual people are measured in population censuses, data are normally reported for areas. Thus, changing the boundaries of units and disaggregation or aggregation  can affect the appearance of the data set.

Ecological Fallacy

A problem associated with MAUP is the ecological fallacy. This occurs when it is referred that data for areas under study can be applied to the individuals within those areas. For example, if analysis of geodemographic data identifies the average income level in a postal zone, it is an ecological fallacy to assume that all individuals within that postal zone have that level of income.

Selecting Threshold Criteria

Differences in the threshold applied will produce differences in the output map. For example,  the choice of a population limit of 600 persons per km² is different from the choice of a population of 500 persons per km². Therefore, threshold can re-applied to one or more of the input layers and overlay analysis repeated to view changes in the output.

Visual Complxity

When two complex maps are overlain the output is likely to be more complex than either of the two input maps. The more complex of a GIS output, the more difficult to interpret. Therefore, generalization is used for the output layers and analysis.


FURTHER RESEARCH AND LIMITING FACTORS

                  Although, this project has taken into account many aspects regarding the placement of a Mountain Equipment Co-op store in Kelowna, there are a few factors that should be addressed and discussed.  For example, the analysis considered the population density of the area that are in the labour force of which the MEC is to be located, but did not consider where these individuals are located throughout the daytime hours.  This is simply because we do not have the resources nor the time in order to attempt to tackle this problem.  In fact, we do not even think that this will be plausible. 

                Additionally, the investigation is limited due to the fact that the project is a hypothetical analysis.  Knowing the actual number of MEC members within Kelowna and particular areas of Kelowna has greatly advantaged the depth of analysis, but is restricted because MEC is unable to disclose information of this degree to the public. The acquisition of this information will provide a greater narrowing of possibilities for the setting of a location for the new store.

            A level of inaccuracy also exists in the analysis due to restraints in knowledge, resources, and time.  Because Mountain Equipment Co-op is known abroad by most outdoor enthusiasts, the analysis may be more accurate if conducted on a regional level rather than a metropolitan level (for example with DA census data for Kelowna).  For instance, the current Vancouver MEC location serves the entirety of the province. Therefore, an analysis conducts for the whole of BC’s interior will provide a more accurate portrayal of where a new MEC location should be situated.  In other words, the analysis can focus on a centralized location for a new MEC store for the whole of the Okanagan rather than for Kelowna itself.  However, due to a lack of knowledge of how to manipulate data of this magnitude, near impossibility of acquiring this much data, and time required to manipulate the data, analysis of this level is inconceivable. 

 

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