Cite as:
Johnson J H, 1981, "Q-discrimination analysis" Environment and Planning B 8(4) 419 – 434
Download citation data in RIS format

Q-discrimination analysis

J H Johnson

Received 5 September 1981

Abstract. The Q-analysis algorithm is sometimes used as a clustering procedure, sometimes inappropriately. The data for clustering a set of elements in terms of a set of descriptors are assumed to be weighted in a scale. This paper shows the scale requires no structure beyond an ordinal order relation to allow a refinement of the q-connected component partitions by q-discrimination analysis. This requires a clear understanding of the meaning of the scale values when data are being collected, and gives a precise meaning to the slicing procedure of q-analysis. The relevant definitions of Q-analysis are presented through examples and the paper is mathematically self-contained. It concludes with two illustrative examples and discusses the questions they raise. Q-discrimination analysis is presented as part of the methodology of q-analysis, and to the extent that clustering is essentially concerned with set definition its application represents the beginning of a scientific enquiry rather than an end result.

Restricted material:

 Full-text PDF size: 1808 Kb

Your computer (IP address: 54.242.188.217) has not been recognised as being on a network authorised to view the full text or references of this article. This content is part of our deep back archive. If you are a member of a university library that has a subscription to the journal, please contact your serials librarian (subscriptions information).