Spatial point patterns

Statistical methods for spatial point processes have seen only limited application in the social sciences. The slow uptake is likely due to two constraints: first, the lack of theory that directly connects to a spatial process and second, the lack of data that resolves to spatial point coordinates. In this chapter we provide a very short introduction to the inferential framework for spatial point processes using a running example of human beach behavior. Intuitively understandable as a spatial process, we hope the beach behavior problem is approachable from a range of different social sciences. We try to provide a broad but selected overview of relevant methods related to this problem as well as provide commentary on specific issues that may arise in social science applications of statistical methods for spatial point processes more broadly. Throughout the chapter we focus on concepts over theory and equations, but we do provide references to the extensive literature in statistics for interested readers. In the last section we provide a very brief review of the primary areas where spatial point process methods have been applied in the social sciences.