Abstract. Precise analyses of the statistical and scaling properties of galaxy distribution are essential to elucidate the large-scale structure of the universe. Given the ongoing debate on its statistical features, the development of statistical tools permitting to discriminate accurately different spatial patterns is highly desiderable. This is specially the case when non-fractal distributions have power law two-point correlation functions, which are usually signatures of fractal properties. Here we review some possible methods used in the literature and introduce a new variable called "scaling gradient". This tool and the conditional variance are shown to be effective in providing an unambiguous way for such a distinction. Their application is expected to be of outmost importance in the analysis of upcoming galaxy catalogues.

PACS numbers: 98.65.-r, 02.50.-r, 05.45.Df

Print publication: Issue 4 (May 2004)
Received 2 July 2003, in final form and accepted for publication 23 March 2004