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Cluster detection and clustering with random start forward searches

Author

Listed:
  • Anthony C. Atkinson
  • Marco Riani
  • Andrea Cerioli

Abstract

The forward search is a method of robust data analysis in which outlier free subsets of the data of increasing size are used in model fitting; the data are then ordered by closeness to the model. Here the forward search, with many random starts, is used to cluster multivariate data. These random starts lead to the diagnostic identification of tentative clusters. Application of the forward search to the proposed individual clusters leads to the establishment of cluster membership through the identification of non-cluster members as outlying. The method requires no prior information on the number of clusters and does not seek to classify all observations. These properties are illustrated by the analysis of 200 six-dimensional observations on Swiss banknotes. The importance of linked plots and brushing in elucidating data structures is illustrated. We also provide an automatic method for determining cluster centres and compare the behaviour of our method with model-based clustering. In a simulated example with eight clusters our method provides more stable and accurate solutions than model-based clustering. We consider the computational requirements of both procedures.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony C. Atkinson & Marco Riani & Andrea Cerioli, 2018. "Cluster detection and clustering with random start forward searches," Journal of Applied Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(5), pages 777-798, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:japsta:v:45:y:2018:i:5:p:777-798
    DOI: 10.1080/02664763.2017.1310806
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesca Torti & Aldo Corbellini & Anthony C. Atkinson, 2021. "fsdaSAS: A Package for Robust Regression for Very Large Datasets Including the Batch Forward Search," Stats, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Reiko Aoki & Juan P. M. Bustamante & Gilberto A. Paula, 2022. "Local influence diagnostics with forward search in regression analysis," Statistical Papers, Springer, vol. 63(5), pages 1477-1497, October.
    3. Anthony C. Atkinson & Aldo Corbellini & Marco Riani, 2017. "Robust Bayesian regression with the forward search: theory and data analysis," TEST: An Official Journal of the Spanish Society of Statistics and Operations Research, Springer;Sociedad de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, vol. 26(4), pages 869-886, December.
    4. Brenton R. Clarke & Andrew Grose, 2023. "A further study comparing forward search multivariate outlier methods including ATLA with an application to clustering," Statistical Papers, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 395-420, April.
    5. Torti, Francesca & Corbellini, Aldo & Atkinson, Anthony C., 2021. "fsdaSAS: a package for robust regression for very large datasets including the batch forward search," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 109895, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Šárka Brodinová & Peter Filzmoser & Thomas Ortner & Christian Breiteneder & Maia Rohm, 2019. "Robust and sparse k-means clustering for high-dimensional data," Advances in Data Analysis and Classification, Springer;German Classification Society - Gesellschaft für Klassifikation (GfKl);Japanese Classification Society (JCS);Classification and Data Analysis Group of the Italian Statistical Society (CLADAG);International Federation of Classification Societies (IFCS), vol. 13(4), pages 905-932, December.
    7. Alessio Farcomeni & Antonio Punzo, 2020. "Robust model-based clustering with mild and gross outliers," TEST: An Official Journal of the Spanish Society of Statistics and Operations Research, Springer;Sociedad de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, vol. 29(4), pages 989-1007, December.
    8. Marco Riani & Anthony C. Atkinson & Andrea Cerioli & Aldo Corbellini, 2019. "Comments on: Data science, big data and statistics," TEST: An Official Journal of the Spanish Society of Statistics and Operations Research, Springer;Sociedad de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, vol. 28(2), pages 349-352, June.
    9. Andrea Cerioli & Marco Riani & Anthony C. Atkinson & Aldo Corbellini, 2018. "The power of monitoring: how to make the most of a contaminated multivariate sample," Statistical Methods & Applications, Springer;Società Italiana di Statistica, vol. 27(4), pages 559-587, December.

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    JEL classification:

    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General

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