Spatial analysis is a set of techniques for analyzing spatial data.  The results of spatial analysis are dependent on the locations of the objects being analyzed.  Software that implements spatial analysis techniques requires access to both the locations of objects and their attributes.

(after Goodchild)

 
For more information about spatial analysis, go to the resrouces page for Spatial Analysis on this site: https://apps.carleton.edu/collab/gis/Resources/SpatialAnalysis/