Question 1

Which method allows the researcher to obtain information on cluster membership of cases if the number of clusters is specified?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which method allows the researcher to obtain...

Question 2

What suggested guidelines researchers can use when deciding on the number of clusters?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What suggested guidelines researchers can use when...

Question 3

If you are performing cluster analysis on the same data using different distance measures and then comparing the results across measures to determine stability of the solutions,you are at which stage of the cluster analysis process?

Accepted Answer

The stage described is assessing reliability and validity, which is concerned with evaluating the consistency and accuracy of the clustering results. This involves comparing results obtained using different distance measures, as well as checking for robustness and sensitivity to the choice of clustering algorithm and parameters. Therefore, the best choice is (C) assessing reliability and validity.

Question 4

________ involves examining the cluster centroids.

Accepted Answer

Examining the cluster centroids helps in interpreting and profiling the clusters. This helps in understanding the characteristics of each cluster and identifying the most representative data points for each cluster. It also helps in identifying any outliers or anomalies, and making decisions on how to use or further analyze the clusters.

Question 5

To use cluster analysis for clustering variables to identify homogeneous groups,the researcher could do all of the following except ________.

Accepted Answer

Inserting communalities in the diagonal of the correlation matrix is not a standard procedure for clustering variables. This is typically done in factor analysis, not cluster analysis.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a procedure to check the quality of clustering results?

Accepted Answer

Using the same method of clustering and comparing the results does not provide any new information or validation about the quality of the clustering results. It simply repeats the process without offering a means to assess stability or reliability.

Question 7

What are the steps in conducting cluster analysis (Figure 20.3 in the text)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the steps in conducting cluster...

Question 8

In SAS,the ________ program can be used for the hierarchical clustering of objects or cases.

Accepted Answer

The CLUSTER ANALYSIS program in SAS is used for hierarchical clustering of objects or cases.

Question 9

In SPSS,the main program for hierarchical clustering of objects or cases is ________.

Accepted Answer

The main program for hierarchical clustering in SPSS is HIERARCHICAL CLUSTERING. The other options (A) Cluster Analysis, (B) Fastclus, and (D) Varclus are also clustering methods but they are not specifically designed for hierarchical clustering.

Question 10

In non-hierarchical clustering,plotting the ratio of total within-group variance to between-group variance against the number of clusters is useful if you are ________.

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Which is best to use when selecting a clustering procedure: hierarchical or nonhierarchical clustering?

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Which method allows the researcher to obtain information on cluster membership of cases if the number of clusters is specified?

Accepted Answer

Icicle plot, also known as a dendrogram, allows the researcher to visually obtain information on the cluster membership of cases when the number of clusters is specified. It shows the hierarchical organization of cases based on their similarities and dissimilarities.

Question 13

Why should the clustering of variables be used?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why should the clustering of variables be...

Quiz 20: Cluster Analysis

Which method allows the researcher to obtain information on cluster membership of cases if the number of clusters is specified?

What suggested guidelines researchers can use when deciding on the number of clusters?

If you are performing cluster analysis on the same data using different distance measures and then comparing the results across measures to determine stability of the solutions,you are at which stage of the cluster analysis process?

________ involves examining the cluster centroids.

To use cluster analysis for clustering variables to identify homogeneous groups,the researcher could do all of the following except ________.

Which of the following is not a procedure to check the quality of clustering results?

What are the steps in conducting cluster analysis (Figure 20.3 in the text)?

In SAS,the ________ program can be used for the hierarchical clustering of objects or cases.

In SPSS,the main program for hierarchical clustering of objects or cases is ________.

In non-hierarchical clustering,plotting the ratio of total within-group variance to between-group variance against the number of clusters is useful if you are ________.

Which is best to use when selecting a clustering procedure: hierarchical or nonhierarchical clustering?

Which method allows the researcher to obtain information on cluster membership of cases if the number of clusters is specified?

Why should the clustering of variables be used?