SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF THE BOYCE-CLARK SHAPE INDEX

Abstract

The Boyce-Clark shape index is one of the more common shape measures suited to cartographic analysis. It requires care, however, in the selection of the center point, number of radials, and orientation of the radials. This study shows the need to maintain consistency in procedures for selecting the center point and positioning the radials. To achieve stable results at least 16–20 radials are desirable. Probabilistic questions involving the likelihood or significance of a given index value are shown to be more difficult to answer.