What is correspondence analysis?

Correspondence analysis explores the relationship between two categorical variables in a contingency table.

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Correspondence analysis (CA) is a statistical method that is used to visualize and analyze data. It is a powerful tool that can be used to understand the relationships between variables and to identify patterns and trends in data.

In this blog post, we will discuss what CA is, how it works, and how you can use it for your own data analysis. We will also provide some tips on how to get the most out of your CA results.

What is Correspondence Analysis?

Correspondence analysis is a multivariate statistical technique that is used to visualize and analyze data. It is a powerful tool that can be used to understand the relationships between variables and to identify patterns and trends in data.

CA is based on the idea that data can be represented as a two-dimensional space, with each variable represented by a point in the space. The points are arranged such that the distances between points represent the strength of the relationship between the variables.

CA is a useful tool for data visualization because it can help you to see the relationships between variables in a way that is easy to understand. It is also a useful tool for data analysis because it can help you to identify patterns and trends in data that you might not be able to see otherwise.

An example of Correspondence Analysis

Brand maps are often used to illustrate customers’ images of the market by placing products and attributes together on a graph. This allows close interpretation of company perceptions with a variety of product and service attributes. The closer the plot point is to the center origin (0,0), the less discriminatory.  In the correspondence analysis chart below, most car buyers want Safety and Quality so they are plotted more toward the center. Trailblazer and Encore are toward the center relative to other models that have stronger associations (Renegade is more Fun; Toyota C-HR is more Prestige; HR-V, EcoSport, Trax are more value/gas oriented).

Correspondence analysis example

How does Correspondence Analysis work?

CA works by first creating a contingency table. The contingency table shows the frequencies of each variable for each category. Once the contingency table has been created, CA uses a series of calculations to create a two-dimensional space. The points in the space represent the variables, and the distances between points represent the strength of the relationship between the variables.

CA uses a number of different calculations to create the two-dimensional space. One of the most important calculations is the chi-squared calculation. The chi-squared calculation is used to measure the strength of the relationship between variables. The chi-squared calculation is also used to calculate the distances between points in the two-dimensional space.

How can you use Correspondence Analysis for your own data analysis?

CA can be used for a variety of different data analysis tasks. Some of the most common tasks that CA is used for include:

  • Data visualization: CA can be used to visualize data in a way that is easy to understand. This can help you to see the relationships between variables in a new way.
  • Pattern recognition: CA can be used to identify patterns and trends in data. This can help you to find hidden relationships between variables.
  • Hypothesis testing: CA can be used to test hypotheses about the relationships between variables. This can help you to confirm or reject your hypotheses.
  • Model building: CA can be used to build predictive models. This can help you to make better decisions about future events.

Tips for getting the most out of Correspondence Analysis

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your CA results:

  • Use a good quality CA software program. There are a number of different CA software programs available, so it is important to choose one that is right for your needs.
  • Use a large enough sample size. CA works best with large sample sizes. If you have a small sample size, you may not be able to get accurate results.
  • Use a good quality dataset. CA works best with high quality datasets. If you have a low quality dataset, you may not be able to get accurate results.
  • Understand the CA results. The CA results can be complex, so it is important to understand what they mean. You should consult with a statistician or other expert if you need help understanding the CA results.

Correspondence Analysis is a powerful tool that can be used for data visualization and analysis. If you are looking for a way to understand the relationships between variables and to identify patterns and trends in data, then CA is the tool for you.

Create a correspondence analysis chart for free using mTab survey analysis platform.

John Sevec

SVP, Client Strategy

John provides strategic advisory and insight guidance to premier clients across mTab’s portfolio. His expertise spans customer strategy, market insight and business intelligence.