Pattern Recognition, 4th Edition

12.1. Introduction

In the previous chapter, our major focus was on introducing a number of proximity measures. Each of these measures gives a different interpretation of the terms similar and dissimilar, associated with the types of clusters that our clustering procedure has to reveal. In the current and the following three chapters, the emphasis is on the various clustering algorithmic schemes and criteria that are available to the analyst. As has already been stated, different combinations of a proximity measure and a clustering scheme will lead to different results, which the expert has to interpret.

This chapter begins with a general overview of the various clustering algorithmic schemes and then focuses on one category, known as sequential ...