Abstract

This paper seeks to further investigate data extracted by the use of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) as it is applied to brain tissue and how it measures blood flow to certain areas of the brain following the application of a stimulus. As a precursor to detailed spatial analysis of this kind of data, this paper develops methods of grouping data based on the necessary conditions for spatial statistical analysis. The purpose of this paper is to examine and develop methods that can be used to delineate regions of stationarity. One of the major assumptions used in spatial estimation is that the data field is homogeneous with respect to the mean and the covariance function. As such, any spatial estimation presupposes that these criteria are met. With respect to analyses that may be considered new or experimental, however, there is no evidence that these assumptions will hold.

Degree

College and Department

Physical and Mathematical Sciences; Statistics

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/