Choosing models in model-based clustering and discriminant analysis

Using an eigenvalue decomposition of variance matrices, Celeux and Govaert (1993) obtained numerous and powerful models for Gaussian model-based clustering and discriminant analysis. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we compare the performances of many classical criteria to select these models: information criteria as AIC, the Bayesian criterion BIG, classification criteria as NEC and cross-validation. In the clustering context, information criteria and BIC outperform the classification criteria. In the discriminant analysis context, cross-validation shows good performance but information criteria and BIC give satisfactory results as well with, by far, less time-computing.