A Comparison of Cluster Analysis Techniques Withing a Sequential Validation Framework

This study involved the comparison of 23 different methods of cluster analysis in a four-stage sequential validation design. These stages included derivation, replication, external validation, and cross-validation. Data were obtained from 750 alcohol abusers on a number of socio-behavioral variables. Results demonstrated that the solution given by Ward's method of cluster analysis was particularly powerful in comparison to solutions yielded by other techniques.