Map Analysis
In order to compute maps, the facilitator must run the map analysis. This analysis involves two major statistical procedures: multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis.
We can’t describe these analyses in detail here (we would need an advanced statistics course for that!), but we will discuss what they accomplish and some of the general issues the facilitator should keep in mind when using them. Facilitators should become familiar with these two analyses by taking relevant coursework or by reading the literatures that describe them.
The computer program runs the analyses automatically. All the facilitator has to specify is which sorts should be included in the map analysis. The technical information about the analysis that is provided here is included only to give you an idea of what is happening during the analysis.