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WINDSORT: A fully automated technique for collecting sort data for multidimensional scaling analysis

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Abstract

WINDSORT is a microcomputer program that uses an automated sorting procedure to collect the preprocess proximity data commonly analyzed using multidimensional scaling. The traditional manual sorting task is less tedious, more enjoyable, and far easier for subjects to perform than the tasks that are used in alternative data-collection techniques. However, complete automation of the sorting task has not previously been fully successful WINDSORT uses a form of the hierarchical sorting technique which is reputed to yield richer data than single-sort techniques A maximum of 45 stimuli can be scaled using WINDSORT. Resulting output includes dissimilarity matrices which are ready to analyze using MDS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, N9B 3P4, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

    Ian L. Knowles, Blake C. Jarvis & Meyer W. Starr

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  1. Ian L. Knowles
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  2. Blake C. Jarvis
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  3. Meyer W. Starr
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Additional information

This paper is based in part on I. L. Knowles’s MA in the Psychology Department at the University of Windsor, directed by M. W. Starr. B. C. Jarvis wrote most of the actual computer program. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance and comments of Roger Lauzon and Martin Morf.

—Accepted by previous editor, Joseph B. Sidowski

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Knowles, I.L., Jarvis, B.C. & Starr, M.W. WINDSORT: A fully automated technique for collecting sort data for multidimensional scaling analysis. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers 22, 335–336 (1990). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209827

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209827

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