Alternating least squares and optimal scaling are presented as two approaches to the quantitative analysis of qualitative data. A variety of statistical approaches to this problem are discussed. Three examples are presented. (JKS)

The use of Kruskal's nonmetric multidimensional scaling model for analysis of classroom interaction data is discussed. Four distance models are proposed which lead to multidimensional representation of single sequences, sets of sequences, and behavior categories using symmetric and conditional proximity options of the model. Results of application…

Authors show how the use of modern multidimensional scaling techniques, which have long been employed in the behavioral sciences for the measurement of subjective values, can be profitably applied to the study of the latent structure of students' perceptions of literature. (Authors/CB)

Structural equation modeling is applied in conjunction with constrained monotone distance analysis. These alternative methods are used in an evaluation of a social-psychological model derived from Likert's theory of organizational behavior. (Author/JKS)

Restricted multidimensional scaling models, allowing constraints on parameters, are extended to the case of asymmetric data. Examples of several models are provided, using journal citation data. Possible extensions of the models are considered. (Author/JKS)

In studies involving judgments of similarity or dissimilarity, a variety of other variables may also be measured. In such cases, there are important advantages to joint analyses of the dissimilarity and collateral variables. A variety of models are described for relating these and algorithms are described for fitting these to data. (Author/JKS)

Two revisions of computer-interactive multidimensional scaling data selection procedures are presented. One revision--based on randomly ordering the list of stimuli--improves the estimates of the multidimensional scaling parameters and the other permits more efficient data designs. (Author/JKS)

Contains a solution for the multidimensional scaling of pairwise choice when individuals are represented as dimensional weights. The analysis supplies an exact least squares solution and estimates of group unscalability parameters. (DG)

The degree to which Procrustean Individual Differences Scaling can be extended to related topics such as target analysis is discussed and a Monte Carlo study investigating the fit of the model under various conditions is presented. (JKS)

Describes content-validity theory and illustrates new and traditional approaches for conducting content-validity studies. Newer approaches are based on multidimensional scaling analysis of item-similarity ratings, while traditional approaches are based on ratings of item-objective congruence and relevance. (Author/SLD)

Attachment Q-Sort (AQS) is a tool for quantifying observations about toddler/caregiver relationships. Previous studies have applied factor analysis to the full 90 AQS item set to explore the structure underlying them. Here we explore that structure by applying multidimensional scaling (MDS) to judgements of inter-item similarity. AQS items are…

Although there are many methods available for dimensionality assessment for items with monotone item response functions, there are few methods available for unfolding item response theory models. In this study, a modification of Yen's Q3 statistic is proposed for the case of these nonmonotone item response models. Through a simulation study, the…

A maximum likelihood estimation procedure was developed to fit weighted and unweighted additive models of conjoint data obtained by categorical rating, paired comparisons or directional ranking methods. Practical uses of the procedure are presented to demonstrate various advantages of the procedure as a statistical method. (Author/JKS)

An individual differences additive model is discussed which represents individual differences in additivity by differential weighting or additive factors. A procedure for estimating model parameters for various data measurement characteristics is developed. The method is found to be very useful in describing certain types of developmental change…

A class of closely related hierarchical grouping methods are discussed and a procedure which implements them in an integrated fashion is presented. These methods avoid some theoretical anomalies inherent in clustering and provide a framework for viewing partitioning and nonpartitioning grouping. Significant relationships between these methods and…