Using the Kth Nearest Neighbor Clustering Procedure to Determine the Number of Subpopulations (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

M. Anthony Wong

 
9781332247530: Using the Kth Nearest Neighbor Clustering Procedure to Determine the Number of Subpopulations (Classic Reprint)

Synopsis

Discover how to uncover hidden subpopulations in data with a practical, study‑ready method.

This guide explains a kth nearest neighbor clustering approach to count and test the number of modes in a univariate density, helping you see when a population is unimodal, bimodal, or more complex.

The book walks you through a clear procedure: estimate a density with a chosen k, use hierarchical clustering to identify modes, and apply a bootstrap test to assess significance. It emphasizes when the method works best and where small or uneven subpopulations can affect results, all in accessible, data‑driven terms.
  • How the diagnostic plot signals the number of modes and possible substructures in a data set.
  • How to use the bootstrap‑based p‑value to decide if observed multimodality is statistically significant.
  • Practical notes on sample size effects, computation time, and limitations in higher dimensions.
  • Illustrative examples from real data to show interpretation in context.
Ideal for readers of applied statistics, data scientists, and researchers who want a concrete, nonparametric tool to explore population structure without heavy modeling assumptions. It offers a tested workflow you can adapt to your own data.

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