A Study on Criteria for Determining the Number of Clusters

Determining the number of clusters is a very important issue in cluster analysis. Even though there are many criteria for the number of clusters we have no fully general and satisfactory one for every clustering method. Three main criteria used in commercial statistical packages are discussed through a small Monte Carlo study in the respect of detecting the correct number of clusters in hierarchical clustering.

1. Introduction

2. Clustering Algorithms

3. Three Criteria for the Number of Clusters

4. Monte Carlo Study

5. Summary

References

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