FISHER OPTIMAL SCORES AND MULTIPLE CORRESPONDENCE-ANALYSIS

Fisher's method of optimal scores (FOS) and Guttman scaling are often cited among the origins of multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). It is shown that FOS is more strongly linked to canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and that although Fisher's method, as described in Statistical Methods for Research Workers, 7th edition, essentially leads to the MCA results, this is something of an accident. If there he had not been concerned with a balanced two-way table, the relationship between the two methods would have been weaker. Similarly, Fisher (1940, Annals of Eugenics 10, 422-429) refers mainly to simple correspondence analysis (CA) and cannot be strongly linked to MCA. Nevertheless Fisher had all the essential elements not only of CA but also of MCA.