A Loss Function Minimization Strategy for Grouping from Dendrograms
L. P. Lefkovitch · Systematic Zoology · 1976
Lefkovitch, L. P. (Agricult. Canada, Statistical Research Service, Room E-266, Sir John Carling Bldg., Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C5, Canada) 1976. A loss function minimization strategy for grouping from dendrograms. Syst. Zool. 25:41–48.—This paper gives a method for obtaining subgroups of objects related by a dendrogram. After showing the relationship between spanning trees and dendrograms, the proposal is made to use the former to obtain a subset of all possible partitions. To decide which of the subsets is best, it is necessary to use a measure of clustering; the desirable attributes of such a measure lead to one which is based on a comparison between an object in its original disposition and on its conjectured group membership. The minimization of this measure, called a loss function, is proposed as the criterion for choosing the “best” groups. A small example illustrates the method.