Method for measuring a degree of association for dimensionally referenced data

A computer-implemented method for creating a cluster of dimensionally referenced physical events, said cluster representing a dimensional region encompassing n plurality of said physical events exhibiting a predetermined physical characteristic above a predetermined threshold, comprising the steps of:

• assembling a first data structure indicative of the locations of observation and the physical characteristic for said n plurality of physical events;
• assembling a second data structure indicative of a sample space;
• determining a reference distribution via a computer processor by calculating a test statistic for each of n′ plurality of random allocations of the n plurality of physical events over n plurality of first sample locations, said computer processor communicating with said first and second data structures and configured to select said n plurality of first sample locations from said second data structure;
• determining a restricted distribution via said computer processor by calculating said test statistic for each of n″ plurality of restricted random allocations of the n plurality of physical events over n plurality of second sample locations, said computer processor selecting said n plurality of second sample locations from said second data structure;
• determining the degree of association between said n plurality of physical events based upon said determined reference and restricted distributions;
• and
• creating a grouping of said n plurality of physical events only when said degree of association exceeds a predetermined value.