cluster analysis
cluster analysisA form of multivariate analysis, of which the purpose is to divide a set of objects (such as variables or individuals), characterized by a number of attributes, into a set of clusters or classes, in such a way that the objects in a class are maximally similar to each other and maximally different to the other objects, with reference to a selected list of descriptive indicators and characteristics which form the basis of the analysis. In biology the technique is known as numerical taxonomy.
Cluster analysis was among the multivariate statistical techniques developed by Eshref Shevky and Wendell Bell (Social Area Analysis, 1955) for analysing census data. It is applied to census small-area statistics and social indicators in social area analysis to create area typologies, either focusing on particular urban or metropolitan areas, or...
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