Visualization of multivariate data with radial plots using SAS

Data visualization tools can provide very powerful information and insight when performing data analysis. In many situations, a set of data can be ade quately analyzed through data visualization methods alone. In other situati ons, data visualization can be used for preliminary data analysis. In this paper, radial plots are developed as a SAS-based data visualization tool th at can improve one's ability to monitor, analyze and control a process. Usi ng the program developed in this research, we present two examples of data analysis using radial plots; the first example is based on data from a part icle board manufacturing process and the second example is a business proce ss for monitoring the time-varying level of stock return data. (C) 2001 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.