Main................ UP507 project Intro...............Method One ...................Method Two ...........Method Three

 

Conclusion

 

This spatial description project does not prove inconclusively that there are disparate impacts of environmental hazards on racial and ethnic minorities at the national or local levels. However, this project provides alternative investigative strategies in using GIS to determine disparate impact in spatial patterns. There are strengths and weaknesses to all three of the methodologies outlined: using census tracts, using refined census tracts boundaries with zip codes, and/or buffered points as units of analysis. In general, it seems that the tradeoffs between the various geographic units for analysis are between precision and generalizability or reliability. Ultimately one's choice of methodology depends on her/his research question. For instance, polygons as a result of method two may be great for investigation of national spatial patterns but lack the precision for research investigation on clusters and/or density. The use of GIS as an investigative tool has been instrumental in meeting that challenges and questions posed by social science. It was my intention to demonstrate approaches within the theme of environmental racism and injustice.