System and method for data entry of cluster analysis

Abstract

A graphical user interface for use in a data processing system for facilitating data entry for cluster analysis. In a preferred embodiment, the graphical user interface includes a source card list area, a participants area, a first sort area, and a second sort area. The source card list area allows entry, display of, and direct manipulation access to all of a plurality of items to be sorted. The participants area allows entry and display of participant names. The first sort area includes a plurality of first sections that each can contain a set of items dragged from the source card list area and represents a first-level of grouping of the items from the source card list area. The second sort area includes a plurality of second sections. Each of the plurality of second sections may contain items dragged from at least one of the first sections and represents a second-level of grouping of the items from the source card list area.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A graphical user interface for use in a data processing system for facilitating data entry for cluster analysis, the graphical user interface comprising: 
 a first area containing a plurality of lists of items;    a second area containing a plurality of participants; and    means for corresponding a selected list to a respective one of the plurality of participants, wherein to selected list is the one of the plurality of lists selected by the respective one of the plurality of participants.    
     
     
         2 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for corresponding groupings of the plurality of lists to a respective one of the plurality of participants.    
     
     
         3 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for corresponding comprises an array of third areas in which the items within each list may be displayed in accordance with a selection made by a respective one of the plurality of participants.  
     
     
         4 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the list of items displayed in the first area corresponds to a highlighted participant in the second area.  
     
     
         5 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the participants are arranged in a scrollable list in the second area.  
     
     
         6 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first area allows entry, display of, and direct manipulation of the items in the plurality of lists.  
     
     
         7 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for corresponding comprises a third area having sections and entries into the sections of the third area are used to calculate similarity and distance matrices for cluster analysis purposes.  
     
     
         8 . A method of providing entry of data into a cluster analysis program, comprising the steps of: 
 responsive to receiving a first user input, removing a selected card name from a source card list area; and    responsive to receiving a second user input, placing the selected card name in a selected one of a plurality of first grouping area sections.    
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 responsive to receiving a third user input, entering an identification number corresponding to a user selected one of the plurality of first grouping area sections into a user selected one of a plurality of second grouping area sections.    
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of first grouping area sections comprises an array of boxes in which card names from the card sort list area may be placed and displayed.  
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of second grouping area sections comprise a plurality of rows wherein each row contains at least one box configured to display the identification numbers.  
     
     
         12 . A computer program product in computer readable media for use in a data processing system for providing entry of data into a cluster analysis program, the computer program product comprising: 
 first instructions, responsive to receiving a first user input, for removing a selected card name from a source card list area; and    second instructions, responsive to receiving a second user input, for placing the selected card name in a selected one of a plurality of first grouping area sections.    
     
     
         13 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 third instructions, responsive to receiving a third user input, for entering an identification number corresponding to a user selected one of the plurality of first grouping area sections into a user selected one of a plurality of second grouping area sections.    
     
     
         14 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of first grouping area sections comprises an array of boxes in which card names from the card sort list area may be placed and displayed.  
     
     
         15 . The computer program product as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of second grouping area sections comprise a plurality of rows wherein each row contains at least one box configured to display the identification numbers.  
     
     
         16 . A data processing system for providing entry of data into a cluster analysis program, comprising: 
 means, responsive to receiving a first user input, for removing a selected card name from a source card list area; and    means, responsive to receiving a second user input, for placing the selected card name in a selected one of a plurality of first grouping area sections.    
     
     
         17 . The data processing system as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 means, responsive to receiving a third user input, for entering an identification number corresponding to a user selected one of the plurality of first grouping area sections into a user selected one of a plurality of second grouping area sections.    
     
     
         18 . The data processing system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of first grouping area sections comprises an array of boxes in which card names from the card sort list area may be placed and displayed.  
     
     
         19 . The data processing system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of second grouping area sections comprise a plurality of rows wherein each row contains at least one box configured to display the identification numbers.