CLUSTATIS: cluster analysis of blocks of variables

Abstract

The STATIS method is one of many strategies of analysis devoted to the unsupervised analysis of multiblock data. A new optimization criterion to define this method of analysis is introduced and an extension to the cluster analysis of several blocks of variables is discussed. This consists in a hierarchical cluster analysis and a partitioning algorithm akin to the K-means algorithm. Moreover, in order to improve the cluster analysis outcomes, an additional cluster called noise cluster which contains atypical blocks of variables is introduced. The general strategy of analysis is illustrated by means of two cases studies.