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A Matlab function to estimate choice model parameters from paired-comparison data

Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers volume 36, pages29–40(2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Tversky (1972) has proposed a family of models for paired-comparison data that generalize the Bradley—Terry—Luce (BTL) model and can, therefore, apply to a diversity of situations in which the BTL model is doomed to fail. In this article, we present a Matlab function that makes it easy to specify any of these general models (EBA, Pretree, or BTL) and to estimate their parameters. The program eliminates the time-consuming task of constructing the likelihood function by hand for every single model. The usage of the program is illustratedby several examples. Features of the algorithm are outlined. The purpose of this article is to facilitate the use of probabilistic choice models in the analysis of data resulting from paired comparisons.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Christian Schmid

    Present address: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Regensburg, Germany

Affiliations

  1. Department of Acoustics, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 B5, 9220, Aalborg East, Denmark

    Florian Wickelmaier & Christian Schmid

Authors
  1. Florian Wickelmaier
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  2. Christian Schmid
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Florian Wickelmaier.

Additional information

This article was completed while the authors were employed at the Sound Quality Research Unit at Aalborg University. This unit receives financial support from Delta Acoustics & Vibration, Brüel & Kjær, and Bang & Olufsen, as well as from the Danish National Agency for Industry and Trade (EFS) and the Danish Technical Research Council (STVF).

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Wickelmaier, F., Schmid, C. A Matlab function to estimate choice model parameters from paired-comparison data. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers 36, 29–40 (2004). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195547

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Keywords

  • Likelihood Function
  • Local Extremum
  • Saturated Model
  • Cell Array
  • Optional Return