Parallel Coordinate Plots of Mixed-Type Data

Abstract

Parallel coordinate plot of Inselberg (1985) is useful for visualizing dozens of variables, but so far the plot's applicability is limited to the variables of numerical type. The aim of this study is to extend the parallel coordinate plot so that it can accommodate both numerical and categorical variables. We combine Hayashi's (1950, 1952) quantification method of categorical variables and Hurley's (2004) endlink algorithm of ordering variables for the parallel coordinate plot. In line with our former study (Kwak and Huh, 2008), we develop Andrews' type modification of conventional straight-lines parallel coordinate plot to visualize the mixed-type data.