Reflection
Although achieving not the most compelling or thought-provoking results, I learned a lot from this analysis with regards to analyzing spatial distributions of point features. I also now understand why we think Starbucks is located on every block; because it is. This project showed one way of calculating and analyzing the spatial distributions of big businesses in relation to census data. Ultimately the cities displayed similar patterns of distribution of these businesses. However, I believe many different statistical results could have came from this same set of data via the aggregation effect and scaling effect of the modifiable areal unit problem. To make for better comparable results between the businesses I think I should have randomly sampled the same number of Starbucks and McDonalds in each city.
Potential Future Studies
I think it would be interesting to survey the census tract population of each city on their consumption habits between each business. Then analyze the patterns between the spatial distribution of the businesses and the consumption habits within the census tracts. From a business perspective, you could then make decisions on which parts of the city could use more or less of your restaraunt/cafe.