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Statistics for Categorical Surveys—A New Strategy for Multivariate Classification and Determining Variable Importance

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  • Alexander Herr

    (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Gungahlin Homestead, Bellenden Street, GPO Box 284, Crace, ACT 2601, Canberra, Australia)

Abstract

Surveys can be a rich source of information. However, the extraction of underlying variables from the analysis of mixed categoric and numeric survey data is fraught with complications when using grouping techniques such as clustering or ordination. Here I present a new strategy to deal with classification of households into clusters, and identification of cluster membership for new households. The strategy relies on probabilistic methods for identifying variables underlying the clusters. It incorporates existing methods that (i) help determine the optimal cluster number, (ii) directly identify variables underlying clusters, and (iii) identify the variables important for classifying new cases into existing clusters. The strategy uses the R statistical software, which is freely accessible to anyone.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Herr, 2010. "Statistics for Categorical Surveys—A New Strategy for Multivariate Classification and Determining Variable Importance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:2:y:2010:i:2:p:533-550:d:7110
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. van der Laan Mark J., 2006. "Statistical Inference for Variable Importance," The International Journal of Biostatistics, De Gruyter, vol. 2(1), pages 1-33, February.
    2. Rafael Pino-Mejias & Mercedes Carrasco-Mairena & Antonio Pascual-Acosta & Maria-Dolores Cubiles-De-La-Vega & Joaquin Munoz-Garcia, 2008. "A comparison of classification models to identify the Fragile X Syndrome," Journal of Applied Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(3), pages 233-244.
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    Cited by:

    1. Leslie M. Roche, 2016. "Adaptive Rangeland Decision-Making and Coping with Drought," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Smajgl, Alex & Bohensky, Erin, 2012. "When households stop logging — Evidence for household adaptation from East Kalimantan," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 58-65.

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