To test whether the cluster results offer a reasonable summary of the similarity, correlation, or distance matrix, that is, are the individual clusters sufficiently homogeneous and is the system as a whole consistent with the input similarities, the following procedure(s) can be performed:
A) the variables used to determine the clusters can be tested to determine if the clusters have statistically different values across the groups.
B) the reliability of the estimates can be assessed by splitting the data into multiple subsets and assessing whether the same clusters are produced when the subsets are analyzed.
C) significance tests can be performed that compare the clusters on variables not used to generate the solution.
D) All of the above procedures are correct.
E) Both b and c are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All the procedures mentioned are valid methods to test the quality and reliability of cluster results. Testing for statistically significant differences across clusters, assessing reliability by analyzing subsets of data, and performing significance tests on variables not used in the clustering process are all effective ways to evaluate the homogeneity of clusters and the consistency of the clustering solution with the input similarities.

To Test Whether the Cluster Results Offer a Reasonable Summary