Measures of Association

This week we will discuss measures of similarity and dissimilarity. When applied to variables, such as measures are typically called measures of association. Of particular interest will be Euclidean distance, Pearson correlation, and the Jaccard index.

Primary Readings

• • Trochim. Correlation

• Borgatti. Distance and correlation

  • Borgatti. Notes on similarity measures

• Zegers, F. E., & ten Berge, J. M. F. (1985). A family of association coefficients for metric scales. Psychometrika, 50(1), 17-24 [PDF])

Exercise (due next week -- email results to me on or before Sept 5)

• pilesort exercise

Slides

• measures of association.pdf

Worksheets

• NBA data

• similarities and distances

• measurement.xls 

• binary.xls

Useful website: http://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations