BoundarySeer allows you to perform thorough investigations of multivariate data sets by defining suites of variables for analyses. That is, you can select one or more variables for boundary detection from a data set containing many variables. One way that you might consider using this flexibility is for viewing boundaries based on individual variables before combining them in a suite for multivariate boundary analysis.
From the main menu, choose "Data", and then select "Variable Sets".
When the dialog box first opens, it shows the default variable set, which includes all of the variables in a given data set. You cannot modify this default set, but you may create a new set with different variables and/or weights.
Choose the source data set for the variable set from the pull-down menu. Remember, for a data set to appear in this window, you must have already imported it into the project.
To create a new set, hit the "Create New Set" button. Enter a name for the variable set or accept the default.
Then click the "Create New Set" button, and this name will be displayed in the "Variable Set" window.
The new variable set begins with no variables (note that the "in set" column in the table is empty). To add all of the variables, click the "Add All" button. To add variables individually, click on the "in set" column, which will put an "X" in the box. See Also: choice of variables.
To change the weight of an individual variable, type a new value in the weight cell.
If you want to delete a variable set, select it from the pull down list, and then click "Delete Set".
When you have created a variable set that you want to save, click "Save", and then close.
You can edit variable sets using the methods described above for creating variable sets. Remember, you cannot edit the "All variables, equal weights" variable set. You can change any variable set you have created by selecting it from the drop-down list on the 'Variable Sets' dialog, and then changing which variables are included or their weights. Remember to click "Apply" to save changes, and then "Close."
You can also edit variable sets from within the Boundary Detection dialogs.
When you want to conduct boundary analyses, these new variable sets will be available for you to use. You will have the option to use or create variable sets when you begin any BoundarySeer boundary detection method. Additionally, you may select to use a single variable in any boundary detection method by filling in the circle next to "Variable" (rather than Variable set) and then selecting your variable.
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