Multivariate Continuous Data — Parallel Coordinates

7.7 Summary

This chapter has introduced a smooth modified version of the parallel coordinate plot. The modifications are based on a parameter transformation process and its geometric structure. The mathematics behind the new plot has been explained with views that show how patterns may be detected in a dataset. The smooth curves have several significant features, including a norm-reducing property and orthogonal crossings of the axes.

Although not explicitly mentioned, the analysis of the datasets in the two examples needed a lot of interactions with the software. Actions like reordering and rescaling of axes (cf. Section 4.4.3) or the application of density estimation procedures are necessary steps towards a meaningful and presentable visualization.