How To Use MAPCLUS (Mathematical Programming Clustering), a Computer Program for Fitting the ADCLUS (Additive Clustering) Model (From Blockmodel Techniques for Criminal Justice - Final Report, Appendix G, 1981, by Phipps Arabie - See NCJ-88432)

• NCJ Number: 88437
• Author(s): P Arabie; J D Carroll
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 82 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-NI-AX-0142; SOC 76-24512; SOC 76-24394
• Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation; National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

MAPCLUS (MAthematical Programming CLUStering) is a mathematical programming algorithm for fitting the ADCLUS (ADditive CLUStering) model of Shepard and Arabie. This documentation is intended to enable the user community to fit the ADCLUS model to their own data, using the MAPCLUS program.

Abstract

Beginning with a lower half matrix of similarities or dissimilarities between all distinct pairs of objects of stimuli, MAPCLUS yields a discrete representation of those stimuli in the form of a solution in which the clusters are not constrained to the nested form characteristic of hierarchical clustering. There are at least two and usually three separate groupings of information which MAPCLUS must be given: the program parameters, the input data, and optionally, an initial configuration. The paper explains how to run the program, noting how to adjust program parameters, how to select among competing solutions, and how to choose an appropriate number of clusters. It concludes with examples of interpreting the output. Eleven references and technical data are appended.