This book originally grew out of our lecture notes for an "Applied Multivariate Analy- sis" course offered jointly by the Statistics Department and the School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis, Fifth Edition, is concerned with statistical methods for describing and analyzing multi- variate data. Data analysis, while interesting with one variable, becomes truly fasci- nating and challenging when several variables are involved. Researchers in the biological, physical, and social sciences frequently collect measurements on several variables. Modern computer packages readily provide the numerical results to rather complex statistical analyses. We have tried to provide readers with the supporting knowledge necessary for making proper interpretations, selecting appropriate tech- niques, and understanding their strengths and weaknesses.