Sorting procedures are frequently adopted as an alternative to dissimilarity ratings to measure the dissimilarity of large sets of stimuli in a comparatively short time. However, systematic empirical research on the consequences of this experiment-design choice is lacking. We carried out a behavioral experiment to assess the extent to which…

The advantages and disadvantages of balanced incomplete block designs are clarified and their use is demonstrated with an empirical example. A procedure for reducing data of this type to analyzable form is proposed, and an analytical approach that is appropriate for the resulting data is illustrated. (Author/BW)