3.3.2. Cluster Analysis

The cluster analysis (CA) technique was used to determine the main and dominant income sources in Bangladesh's various regions. Environmental (i.e., topographical) divergence is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh and it diversifies farm production, although farm households within a certain region do tend to be similar. Ward's hierarchical method and the partitioning method can be used to determine the most appropriate clusters regarding the main income sources in each region. A dendrogram—a graphical representation of the hierarchy of nested cluster explanations— is a manifestation of Ward's method and it provides clues for finding the preferable number of clusters regarding income sources.
