  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.
