Title: A non-parametric and scale-independent method for cluster analysis - I. The univariate case
Abstract: The detection and analysis of structure and substructure in systems of galaxies is a well-known problem. Several methods of analysis exist with different ranges of applicability and giving different results. The aim of the present paper is to describe a general procedure of wide applicability that is based on a minimum number of general assumptions and gives an objective, testable, scale-independent and non-parametric estimate of the clustering pattern of a sample of observational data.