Purpose and applicability
Does finite-mixture PLS reveal latent customer classes with distinct renewal behavior?
No completed-result prerequisite is required for the first run.
Do not use it merely because it is available
Use FIMIX-PLS only when its estimand, data roles and assumptions answer the stated research question. Choose a related estimator or diagnostic when the intended outcome is not among the documented outputs below.
Study preparation
- Teaching data
- subscription-segmentation.csv
- Observations
- 600
- Study type
- Deterministic synthetic teaching study
- Calculate route
- Calculate → FIMIX-PLS in the shared MultiMod workspace
Open the data dictionary and variable-role reference
Model
Ease, Quality, Value, Satisfaction, and Renewal, each measured by its three matching indicators
Ease, Quality, and Value → Satisfaction; Ease → Renewal; Satisfaction → Renewal
Exact workflow
Download subscription-segmentation.csv and the prepared subscription-segmentation.qpls project. Keep both files in a writable study folder.
Start QuickPLS, choose Open Project, and open the prepared project. Its saved model is already arranged and fitted.
Open Data and confirm that the study contains 600 observations. Return to the model or calculation workspace.
Confirm the saved model specification: Ease, Quality, Value, Satisfaction, and Renewal, each measured by its three matching indicators. Structural specification: Ease, Quality, and Value → Satisfaction; Ease → Renewal; Satisfaction → Renewal.
Confirm that construct labels, indicators, and arrows are readable. The supplied project is saved after Arrange and Fit; do not rearrange it before the tutorial run.
Choose Calculate, then use Calculate → FIMIX-PLS in the shared MultiMod workspace.
Review the essential settings listed below. Open Advanced settings only when the design requires a non-default option.
Resolve actionable blockers, review applicability warnings, and leave Open Results when finished selected.
Choose Start calculation. Wait for Completed, then confirm that Results opens for this method.
Inspect the named outputs below in order. Use Save Report, table Copy, or Export as required, then save and reopen the project to confirm the result remains available.
Essential and advanced settings
- Exclude reference_segment from estimation
- Evaluate the bounded K = 2–3 candidate plan with multiple starts
Keep other advanced controls at their documented defaults unless the study design requires a justified change. Record every non-default value in the research log.
Results to inspect
- Candidate information criteria
- Likelihood history
- Posterior memberships
- Assignments and segment shares
Interpretation guidance
For FIMIX-PLS, interpret the listed outputs together with the prerequisite result, the selected settings, model assumptions and data quality. The supplied values are instructional; they are not validation against an external paper or another software package.
Reporting guidance
Report the QuickPLS version, FIMIX-PLS route, sample size, model or variable roles, preprocessing, essential settings, non-default advanced settings, and the named primary outputs. Retain the project, data checksum and exported table used in the manuscript.
Common mistakes and recovery
- Running the method before completing its prerequisite calculation.
- Changing the data, model or variable roles after the prerequisite result was saved.
- Treating an unavailable or not-applicable value as zero.
- Reporting an estimate without its method-appropriate uncertainty or diagnostic context.
Screen-by-screen evidence
Images shown here are mapped to this tutorial’s required installed-application evidence. Missing captures are labelled explicitly and are not replaced with generic screenshots.
Required screen 1: Imported teaching dataset is open
Required screen 2: The prepared project opens with its saved, neatly arranged model diagram
Required screen 3: Correct method and required settings are visible
Required screen 4: Primary FIMIX-PLS result is visible
Required screen 5: Second important FIMIX-PLS result is visible