Clustering mixed-type data using a probabilistic distance algorithm

Cluster analysis is a broadly used unsupervised data analysis technique for finding groups of homoge-neous units in a data set. Probabilistic distance clustering adjusted for cluster size (PDQ), discussed in this contribution, falls within the broad category of clustering methods initially developed to deal with continuous data; it has the advantage of fuzzy membership and robustness. However, a common issue in clustering deals with treating mixed-type data: continuous and categorical, which are among the most common types of data. This paper extends PDQ for mixed-type data using different dissimilarities for different kinds of variables. At first, the PDQ for mixed-type data is defined, then a simulation design shows its advantages compared to some state of the art techniques, and ultimately, it is used on a real data set. The conclusion includes some future developments.(c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This paper discusses a probabilistic distance clustering method adjusted for cluster size (PDQ) for handling mixed-type data, shows its advantages through a simulation design, and applies it to a real data set.