Compositional Data Analysis: Where Are We and Where Should We Be Heading?

An uncompromisingly applied mathematical view, that the challenge of solving practical problems should motivate theoretical research; and that any new theory should be thoroughly investigated to see if it may provide answers to previously abandoned practical considerations.

Abstract

We take stock of the present position of compositional data analysis, of what has been achieved in the last 20 years, and then make suggestions as to what may be sensible avenues of future research. We take an uncompromisingly applied mathematical view, that the challenge of solving practical problems should motivate our theoretical research; and that any new theory should be thoroughly investigated to see if it may provide answers to previously abandoned practical considerations.