Applied Multivariate Data Analysis

General characterization

Prerequisites

Bibliography

Teaching method

An emphasis will be given to present in detail the statistical approach underlying the multivariate methodologies applied , so that students may understand the origin of the results they will analyse. A strong emphasis will also be attributed to interpretation of results , linking them to the more theoritical aspects of the methodologies and also to the interpretation regarding the context from which the data comes from. Work assignment 1 will focus more this link between theory and practise.

A high importance will be also given to the practical application of the multivariate methodologies under study, using statistical software ( JMP Pro and SAS Enterprise Guide) both on academic and also real world datasets to generate outputs  using all the methodolies under study . Work assignment II will focus more the ability of students to apply statistical software analyse to real world data and adequately interpret results.

To further enrich the experience of students and help them understand methodologies and prepare them to apply them in a real context, several published papers using the methodologies under study will be made available. To further help students in their study path, a set of Frequently Asked Questions ( continuously under updating with new questions from students) and of solved exercises and examples will be made available.

Finally both teachers are always available to answer questions , scheduling extra support sessions whenever students need and through a AMA whatsapp group where teachers and students are free to communicate 24/7.

Evaluation method

Evaluation

The evaluation procedure considers two data analysis works assignments and a final exam: First work will allow to evaluate the degree of knowledge and understanding of Principal Component Analysis( PCA ) , namely concerning concepts and definitions inherent to such method and particularly a set of indicators useful for data interpretation purposes . Second work will have as main goal the presentation of multivariate statistical analysis of real data, where students are expected to be able to apply one or more adequate techniques to data treatment ,using software ( JMP-Pro and/or Enterprise Guide). Works may be done individually or by organized groups with no more than three people.

The final exam will be done online on Moodle, with a total duration of 120 minutes and the browser lockdown option activated during the exam. The questions will be sequential with one question per page, without any possibility of going back to change the answer after it is submitted. Each question will be selected randomly from several themed groups of possible questions with identical dificulty levels within each group.

The struture of exam will  be the following:  

PCA: 3 multiple answer questions, graded 2.0 each,   and an open-ended question to interpret outputs, graded 5.0

FCA: 2 multiple answer questions , graded 1.5 each, and an open-ended question to interpret outputs, graded 3.0

MFCA: 2 multiple answer questions, graded 1.5 each.

Work assignment 1 and 2 will count always for the final grade- first work weight 0.2, second work weight 0.4 and final exam 0.4- A minimum classification  for any work or final exam will be necessary for approval: eight points (40%).

Subject matter

1. Basics on Multivariate Decriptive Statistical Analysis (MDSA).

2. Initial examinarion of multivariate data.

3. Caracterization of variable space and individual space .

4. Caracterization of p- dimensional cluster of individuals: centroide of cluster and total inertia.

5. Principal Component Analysis: Scope of the method; a geometric analysis and indicators for interpretation. Applications

6. Factorial Correspondence Analysis as a particular case of PCA with a chi- square  distance. Applications.

7- Generalization: Multiple Factorial Correspondence Analysis  . Applications

8. Data Custering methods: Agglomerative hierarchical methods and center-based clustering algorithms. Applications.

9. Use f SAS ( JMP and Enterprise Guide ) for statistical treatment of multivariate data.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: