Introduction

Over the last thirty years there has been a major growth in the use of quantitative methods in geography. Most branches of the discipline have investigated their value as research aids, and some have been transformed by the experience. New subdisciplines devoted to the development of quantitative geography and spatial analysis have also been established. These have reinforced the value of quantification by creating new research opportunities for the discipline as a whole; opportunities which are increasingly being exploited in the form of applied research contracts between geography, commercial agencies and governments (Wrigley and Bennett 1981; Department of the Environment 1987).