Measures of association

Abstract

In a multivariate dataset, more than one response variable can be analysed at the same time. In Chapter 4, we used Argentinean zoobenthic data where multiple species were measured at multiple sites with several explanatory variables measured at each sites. Possible underlying questions are as follows:

• 1. What are the relationships between the response variables (species)?

• 2. What are the relationships between response variables and explanatory variables?

• 3. What are the relationships between the explanatory variables?

• 4. What are the relationships between the observations (e.g., sites)? Are there differences between groups of observations (e.g., differences between Autumn and Spring data, or between the transects)?

• 5. Are there groups of species behaving similar?