Date:         Mon, 3 May 1999 19:37:28 -0300
Reply-To:     hmaletta@overnet.com.ar
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Hector E. Maletta" <hmaletta@OVERNET.COM.AR>
Subject:      Re: linkage cluster analysis
Comments: To: nortonbc@JMU.EDU
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Brian,
ordinary cluster analysis requires selecting a specific linkage method
to decide whether a case should or should not be merged with another
case (or an existing cluster) to make a larger cluster. SPSS Cluster
procedure provides seven different linking methods. I do not know
whether you refer to this, or to a special clustering method known as
the "linkage method". Of the latter I know nothing, though I suppose it
may exist beyond my limited knowledge of this matter. On the former you
may find useful to read Brian S. Everitt's _Cluster analysis_ (London,
Arnold, 3rd edition, 1993), a short and clear introduction to cluster
analysis. The SPSS manuals (User's Guide, Applications Guide, and
Reference manual) provide also an excellent introduction.
 
Hector Maletta
Universidad del Salvador
Buenos Aires, Argentina
 
Brian Norton wrote:
>
> If anybody knows where I can find some information on linkage cluster
> analysis (what it is, how to do it to a small data set, anything) please let
> me know.  Sooner is better
> thanks in advance