Nonmetric Clustering and Association Analysis

Developed for the analysis of ecological data (Matthews and Hearne, 1991), nonmetric clustering and association analysis (NCAA) is a multivariate derivative of artificial intelligence research. NCAA has a fundamentally different approach to discovering patterns in data sets. 

Matthews, G.B., R.A. Matthews, and W.G. Landis. 1995. Nonmetric clustering and association analysis Implications for the evaluation of multispecies toxicity tests and field monitoring. Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment, Vol. 3, ASTM 1218. J.S. Hughes, G.R. Biddinger, and E. Mones, Eds. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, pp. 79-93. 

The following examples demonstrate the usefulness of multivariate methods in the evaluation of field ecological data and laboratory multispecies toxicity tests. In each of the examples, several multivariate techniques were used — generally Euclidean and cosine distances (Figure 11.29), principal components, and nonmetric clustering and association analysis. 

---