The structure of contents by any of the multidimensional scaling methods, including Smallest Space Analysis, and comparisons of such structures cannot be meaningfully studied without reference to the investigated item contents. Except in rare cases, methods that focus only on the spatial distribution of points are not appropriate. (RL)

Interscal is a program for subject-computer interactive multidimensional scaling. The program analyzes subsets of judgments of similarity as they are given and picks out dimension-defining stimuli; this capability allows for a great reduction in the number of judgments. Program features and options are described. (Author)

Describes several salient features of multidimensional scaling (MDS) for spatial distance models including proximity measures, interpoint distances, goodness-of-fit, and distinctions between metric and nonmetric scaling. Four commonly used MDS computer programs are described, and a section on applications of MDS selected from the counseling…

Presents main similarity task methods available for scaling a large objects set and reviews their practicality. Discusses ways to increase the efficiency of the similarity task while maintaining satisfactory scaling solutions. Notes that the choice of appropriate task first depends on the kind of objects of stimuli being scaled. (SLD)

This study examined employees' perceptions of interpersonal competence at work through the research methodology known as concept mapping. The purpose of this study was to identify the phenomenally derived components of interpersonal competence in work environments and employees' underlying cognitive structures of interpersonal competence at work.…

What aspects of spatial relations influence speakers' choice of locative? This article presents a study of static spatial descriptions from 24 languages. The study reveals two kinds of spatial terms evident cross-linguistically: specific spatial terms and general spatial terms (GSTs). Whereas specific spatial terms--including English…

In this study, the authors investigated the extent to which factor and spatial structures of leisure interests (a) are similar to or distinct from the structure of vocational interests and (b) differ across 3 cohorts: college students (M[subscript age] = 19.6 years, SD = 1.23), working-age adults (M[subscript age] = 29.7, SD = 1.18), and retirees…

This paper describes the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) parameterization of the Profile Analysis via Multidimensional Scaling (PAMS) model to demonstrate validation of profile pattern hypotheses derived from multidimensional scaling (MDS). Profile Analysis via Multidimensional Scaling (PAMS) is an exploratory method for identifying major…

Aim: This survey was led to image the education, student profiles and perspectives of the jobs of students who were trained in the programming of Medical Documentation and Secretaryship (MDS) and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) under the four different universities' departments of Health Services Vocational College (HSVC) in Turkey the during…

Combining diverse methods in a single study raises a problem: What should be done when the findings of one method of investigation conflict with those of another? The authors illustrate this problem using an example in which three study phases--quantitative, qualitative, and intervention--are applied. The findings from the quantitative phase did…

Relations between Tucker's three-mode multidimensional scaling and Carroll and Chang's INDSCAL are discussed. A technique to transform a three-mode solution to the general form of an INDSCAL solution along with applications to two sets of data from the literature are presented. (Author/JKS)

Employed multidimensional scaling to investigate semantic domains. Studied two semantic categories that varied in abstractness (animals and emotions) in six cultures (Greece, Haiti, Hong Kong, Spain, United States, and Vietnam). (Author/MK)

Intransitives in observers' preference judgements for multidimensional natural landscape scenes are examined. Thurstone's Law of Comparative Judgement (LCJ) psychophysical scaling routine is used to scale landscape preference. Both the method of Rank Ordering (RO) and the method of Paired Comparisons (PC) are used to gather the raw data necessary…

This paper is concerned with the development of a measure of the precision of a multidimensional euclidean structure. The measure is a precision index for each point in the structure, assuming that all the other points are precisely located. The measure is defined and two numerical methods are presented. (Author/CTM)

Defines a random effects diagonal metric multidimensional scaling model, gives its computational algorithms, describes researchers' experiences with these algorithms, and provides an illustration of the use of the model and algorithms. (Author/SLD)