1. A computer-implemented method for analyzing an image, comprising: quantitatively analyzing image data to identify image objects relative to a background portion of the image according to predefined object criteria, the image data including a plurality of image objects that represent objects in a sample; clustering the identified image objects into groups or colonies of the identified image objects according to predefined clustering criteria; wherein the quantitatively analyzing further comprises segmenting image objects relative to the background portion of the image and to provide a segmented image; and wherein the predefined object criteria comprises at least one user-adjustable threshold set according to the type of objects being clustered into the groups or colonies.