MBCA
Introduction
Description
The MultiBlock Component Analysis (MBCA) software allows to fit a set of component models to multivariate multiblock data (e.g., observations from a set of variables for subjects that are embedded in groups). Given such multivariate multiblock data, the MBCA program performs separate principal component analyses on all data blocks, simultaneous component analyses and/or clusterwise component analyses with increasing complexities (i.e., number of components and, in the latter case, number of clusters) by means of a multi-start alternating least squares algorithm. Missing data are imputed through weighted least squares fitting. In order to help the user in determining the number of components and/or clusters that are present in the data, the results of a model selection procedure are displayed in the output files of the MBCA program. The MBCA program is available in MATLAB and as a standalone (".exe") application. More information about how to handle the MBCA software can be found in De Roover, Ceulemans & Timmerman (2011).
Authors
The MBCA program was created by Kim De Roover, Eva Ceulemans and Marieke Timmerman. The first two authors belong to the Centre for Methodology of Educational Research of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and are associate collaborators of the Research Group of Quantitative Psychology and Individual Differences of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. The third author is a member of the Statistics and Data Analysis group of the Heymans Institute of Psychology at the University of Groningen.
References
- De Roover, K., Ceulemans, E., Timmerman, M. E., Vansteelandt, K., Stouten, J., & Onghena, P. (2012). Clusterwise simultaneous component analysis for analyzing structural differences in multivariate multiblock data. Psychological Methods, 17, 100-119. doi:10.1037/a0025385
- De Roover, K., Ceulemans, E., & Timmerman, M. E. (2012). How to perform multiblock component analysis in practice. Behavior Research Methods, 44, 41-56. doi:10.3758/s13428-011-0129-1
Getting MBCA
What
To download the MATLAB version of the program, unpack the content of the zip-file MBCA_MATLAB.zip in any folder of your choice. After unpacking, you should start MATLAB and change its current directory to the folder in which you have unpacked the files in question. Typing Multiblock_Component_Analysis at the command prompt will launch the graphical user interface. To download the standalone application, follow the instructions in the file ReadMe_Standalone.txt.
Conditions
The MBCA software is offered free of charge to anyone interested in using multiblock component analysis, provided that it is not used for financial profit and that you properly cite the software and the papers mentioned above. Requests to use the software for any commercial purpose must be directed to the authors. The MBCA program comes without any warranty of any kind. You are not allowed to redistribute a downloaded copy of the software to others. If you want others to use the MBCA program, refer them to this website. See here for full license information.
How
To get the MATLAB version of the software, you have to fill out your name and e-mail address in a form. After submitting that information, an e-mail containing the address where you can download the software once will be sent to you. Click here to proceed to the download area.
To get the standalone version of the software, you have to fill out your name and e-mail address in a form. After submitting that information, an e-mail containing the address where you can download the software once will be sent to you. Click here to proceed to the download area.