These spatial cluster detection methods are used to investigate disease clusters anywhere throughout the study region without identifying cluster position(s). They can be thought of as tests that attempt to answer the question: Within the study area are there one or more statistically significant spatial clusters of the georeferenced variable of interest (the actual locations of the clusters are not implied)?¹ Or, is there a spatial pattern that could not have arisen by chance (this implies a test for clustering or dispersion or both)?

References:

1. Personal correspondence: Dr. Arthur Getis, 1999, Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation Chair of Geographical Studies Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.