Data Analysis by Single-Link and Complete-Link Hierarchical Clustering

Abstract

The paper presents an exposition of two data reduction methods widely used in the behavioral sciences and commonly referred to as the single-link and complete-link hierarchical clustering procedures. Major emphasis is placed on several statistical techniques for evaluating the adequacy of a completed partition hierarchy and, in particular, the individual partitions within the sequence. A numerical reanalysis of some previously published data is included as an illustration of the suggested methodology.