Multiple Factor Analysis by Example Using R

Chapter 5

Comparing Clouds of Partial Individuals

Much multiple factor analysis (MFA) use involves comparing subtables, each made up of a group of variables. One aspect of this comparison was described in the previous chapter that of the factors of separate analyses. Here we deal with the aspect that undoubtedly contributes the most to the richness of MFA results: comparing clouds of individuals each associated with one of the groups of variables.

5.1 Objectives

A row of a data table in which we only consider the data relative to a single group of variables is known as a partial individual. Thus, partial individual i corresponding to group j, denoted ij, is made up of all of the values of {xik; k ∈ Kj}. The set of partial individuals {ij, i