Which concept refers to the risk of misinterpretation due to inappropriate geographical data aggregation?

The concept that refers to the risk of misinterpretation due to inappropriate geographical data aggregation is the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP). This problem arises when data is aggregated into different geographic units or scales, leading to potential distortions in the interpretation of the data. When data is averaged over larger areas, significant variations within those areas may be masked, and conclusions drawn from such aggregate data can vary widely depending on the boundaries chosen for analysis.

MAUP emphasizes that the way geographic data is grouped can significantly impact analysis outcomes and interpretations. For example, population statistics that are aggregated at a county level might present a very different picture of socioeconomic conditions than those aggregated at the city level. This dependency on the scale and boundaries of data aggregation must be carefully considered to avoid erroneous conclusions that do not accurately represent the underlying phenomena being studied.