The interpretation of a Thurstonian model for paired comparisons where the utilities' covariance matrix is unrestricted proved to be difficult due to the comparative nature of the data. We show that under a suitable constraint the utilities' correlation matrix can be estimated, yielding a readily interpretable solution. This set of identification…

This study uses a Cook's distance type diagnostic statistic to identify unusual observations in a data set that unduly influence the estimation of a covariance matrix. Similar to many other deletion-type diagnostic statistics, this proposed measure is susceptible to masking or swamping effect in the presence of several unusual observations. In…

An algorithm is described for fitting the DEDICOM model (proposed by R. A. Harshman in 1978) for the analysis of asymmetric data matrices. The method modifies a procedure proposed by Y. Takane (1985) to provide guaranteed monotonic convergence. The algorithm is based on a technique known as majorization. (SLD)

Some mathematical aspects of minimum trace factor analysis (MTFA) are discussed. The uniqueness of an optimal point of MTFA is proved, and necessary and sufficient conditions for any particular point to be optimal are given. The connection between MTFA and classical minimum rank factor analysis is discussed. (Author/JKS)

It is known that for trivariate distributions, if two correlations are fixed, the remaining correlation is constrained. If just one is fixed, the remaining two are constrained. Both results are extended to the case of a multivariate distribution. (Author/JKS)

Illustrates how commonly available structural equation modeling programs can be used to conduct some basic matrix manipulations and generate multivariate normal data with given means and positive definite covariance matrix. Demonstrates the outlined procedure. (SLD)

This paper presents a revised and updated version of a FORTRAN program which computes all indices used in the Flanders' Interaction Matrix. The new program has added another form of data input which simplifies data entry. The new version also has the capability of interactive terminal use. (Author)

The extent to which one can reduce the rank of a symmetric matrix by only changing its diagonal entries is discussed. Extension of this work to minimum trace factor analysis is presented. (Author/JKS)

The goodness-of-fit of correlational pattern hypotheses has traditionally been assessed either with a likelihood ratio statistic or with a quadratic form statistic. Several alternative statistics, based on the use of the Fisher r-to-z transform, are proposed and assessed in a Monte Carlo experiment. (Author/JKS)

A multivariate reduced-rank growth curve model is proposed that extends the univariate reduced rank growth curve model to the multivariate case, in which several response variables are measured over multiple time points. The proposed model allows us to investigate the relationships among a number of response variables in a more parsimonious way…

A commentary is made on a previously published article concerning testing the equivalence of covariance matrices. An error in the previous article (by the same authors) is pointed out and the consequences of the error are discussed. (JKS)

ORDMET is applicable to structures obtained from additive conjoint measurement designs, unfolding theory, general Fechnerian scaling, types of multidimensional scaling, and ordinal multiple regression. A description is obtained of the space containing all possible numerical representations which can satisfy the structure, size, and shape of which…

Semiotic analysis is a method of analyzing signs (e.g., words) to reduce non-numeric data to their component parts without losing essential meanings. Semiotics dates back to Aristotle's analysis of language; it was much advanced by nineteenth-century analyses of style and logic and by Whitehead and Russell's description in this century of the role…

Results of empirical comparisons of an inferential model of order analysis with factor analytic models were reported for two sets of data. On the prestructured data set both order and factor analytic models returned its dimensions of length, width and height, but on the random data set the factor analytic models indicated the presence of…

Illustrates a simple nonparametric alternative that can be used to test a hypothesis that two proximity matrices on the same set of variables or objects reflect a similar pattern of high and low entries. (RC)