A scoping review on the multiplicity of scale in spatial analysis

Abstract

Scale is a central concept in the geographical sciences and is an intrinsic property of many spatial systems. It also serves as an essential thread in the fabric of many other physical and social sciences, which has contributed to the use of different terminology for similar manifestations of what we refer to as ‘scale’, leading to a surprising amount of diversity around this fundamental concept and its various ‘multiscale’ extensions. To address this, we review common abstractions about spatial scale and how they are employed in quantitative research. We also explore areas where the conceptualizations of multiple spatial scales can be differentiated. This is achieved by first bridging terminology and concepts, and then conducting a scoping review of the topic. A typology for spatial scale is discussed that can be used to categorize its multifarious meanings and measures. This typology is then used to distinguish what we term ‘process scale,’ from other types of spatial scale and to highlight current trends in uncovering aspects of process scale. We end with suggestions on how to further build knowledge regarding spatial processes through the lens of spatial scale.

Quantitative methods II: Big theory

“…Similar conceptual theorizing is evident in recent reflections on spatial scale (Oshan et al, 2022;Poon, 2004;Poorthuis and Zook, 2020) and in time geography (Miller, 2005). On the subject of geographic network analysis, there has also been discussion about the meaning of edges and nodes and what is captured or missed with various definitions (Gibadullina, Bergmann, and O'Sullivan, 2021;Uitermark and Van Meeteren, 2021).…”

“…Before embarking on a discussion of how theory has mattered, and continues to matter in quantitative methods, it is worth clarifying what I mean by ‘theory’. Although researchers from across quantitative human geography assert the importance of theory (e.g., Johnston et al, 2014; Kedron and Holler, 2022; Oshan et al, 2022; Poorthuis and Zook, 2020), the terminology is slippery. In some cases, theory can be read as short for social theory (Poorthuis and Zook, 2020), while at other times, it appears to refer to concepts more than processes (Oshan et al, 2022; Poon, 2004).…”

“…Although researchers from across quantitative human geography assert the importance of theory (e.g., Johnston et al, 2014; Kedron and Holler, 2022; Oshan et al, 2022; Poorthuis and Zook, 2020), the terminology is slippery. In some cases, theory can be read as short for social theory (Poorthuis and Zook, 2020), while at other times, it appears to refer to concepts more than processes (Oshan et al, 2022; Poon, 2004). At still other times, in the context of quantitative methods, it appears to include mainly law-seeking, quantitative revolution era theory (Sui and Kedron, 2021).…”

“…In the same special issue, Derudder (2021), still on the subject of networks, reflects on the implications of conceptualizing cities as discrete units. The Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) community, which typically focusses on model implementation and extension, has recently addressed the importance of modelling choices matching theoretical expectations (Comber et al, 2022;Wolf, 2022). On land use and land cover change, Comber and Wulder (2019) highlight the importance of attending to underlying process, or theory, alongside 'big data analysis'.…”

Apoptosis Detection in Retinal Ganglion Cells Using Quantitative Changes in Multichannel Fluorescence Colocalization

“…Thus, for example, at one scale with one acquisition system, overlap signals may be superior, while at another scale and another resolution, FRET may become superior. While new statistical methods are always under development to mitigate this risk [ 30 , 31 ], these properties are often emergent at each change in scale/support. Thus, sensors that offer multiple readouts at multiple scales, such as the one reported herein, may be more robust as a single chemical entity to changes in scales/instrumentation, potentially facilitating their eventual broad adoption.…”