Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


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2596412 
Journal Article 
Techniques of cluster analysis in thematic map 
Chen, H; Peng, R; Zhao, D; Guo, L; Yu, C 
2008 
380-384 
WOS:000257018300076 
Cluster analysis is a technique used for classification of data, in which data elements are partitioned into groups called clusters that represent collections of data elements that are proximate based on distance or similarity. This statistical method can help cartographers to process the geographical data of resource and environment, and get the corresponding thematic maps. In this paper, several Hierarchical clustering algorithms (single linkage, complete linkage, average linkage, centroid method and ward's method) have been discussed in detail after the introduction of some key terms. Through the comparison and analysis of the traits between each method based on the application on city air pollution, we can select a suitable algorithm for different thematic data processing to sort disorderly data elements into groups and to dig out the potential information. The result can also be provided pretreatment for further information processing or spatial analysis. 
cluster analysis; classification; hierarchical clustering; thematic map; data processing; dendrogram