Clustering in a series of counts

Use the empty cells method if your data are rare so some of the time intervals have 0 cases. The empty cell's test is sensitive to an excess of time periods with 0 cases.

Use the scan method to test for clusters of a specified duration (the scanning window). This method will detect both single and multiple clusters, but is most sensitive when the clusters `fit' in the scanning window.

Use Larsen's method to test for a clustering of cases about a single point in time. Larsen's test is not sensitive to multiple clusters. The data must be rare so that some of the time periods have 0 cases.

Use Dat's method to test for a clustering of cases such that one or more of the time cells has an excess of cases. Dat's test can only be used when there are 5 to 10 time intervals.


Website maintained by Andy Long. Comments appreciated.
longa@nku.edu