Many researchers have noted the importance of standardizing variables for multivariate analysis. Otherwise, variables measured at different scales do not contribute equally to the analysis. For example, in boundary detection, a variable that ranges between 0 and 100 will outweigh a variable that ranges between 0 and 1. Using these variables without standardization in effect gives the variable with the larger range a weight of 100 in the analysis. Transforming the data to comparable scales can prevent this problem. Typical data standardization procedures equalize the range and/or data variability.
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