An examination of cluster-based classification schemes for DUI offenders.
This study examines the utility of cluster-based classification schemes for DUI offenders. Variables from previous empirical typologies and multiple domains were used in a series of cluster analyses in order to examine replicability across independent samples, across clustering algorithms and across sets of psychometric indicators. The arbitrary nature of cluster solutions and the external validity of cluster-based schemes, with respect to an outcome criterion constructed synthetically from earlier research, was examined. Only three of eight cluster techniques (Ward's, K means, and complete linkage) yielded meaningful results. For these techniques, replicability was poor across samples, algorithms and sets of psychometric indicators. Results indicated that identified clusters were arbitrary. Although external validity analysis yielded positive results, the possibility that external validity was a function of underlying dimensions was discussed, as were other implications of the findings.
Wells-Parker
E
E
Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Mississippi 39762.
Anderson
B
B
Pang
M
M
Timken
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D000465:Algorithms; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003120:Colorado; D000431:Ethanol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008950:MMPI / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008922:Mississippi; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D000431:Ethanol