Multidimensional Scaling (MDS)

Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) is a statistical technique used to visualize the similarities or differences between objects or data points. It starts with a table of how far apart or different each pair of items is perceived or measured to be. MDS then creates a map, often in two or three dimensions, where each object is represented by a point. The positions are arranged so that the distances between points reflect their original similarities or differences as accurately as possible. This visualization helps us understand the relationships among many items at a glance, revealing patterns and groupings that might not be obvious in raw data.