How to choose which hierarchical clustering algorithm to use

Question

If I have given with a data set how do I determine which hierarchical clustering algorithm I should use? whether to use single, complete or average linkage?

what are the criteria that I need to consider before selecting?

Answer 1

Choose what gives the best results on your data.

Try all of them. Then evaluate, evaluate, evaluate. Don't assume that some mathematical measure will tell you what to do, this is very data specific, and usefulness cannot be captured by mathematics.