COMPARISON OF SEQUENCES

The problem of comparing K numerical sequences, each defined over the same n objects, is approached through the use of a K-variate scoring function. Besides encompassing some old work of C. Spearman (1906), the sequence-comparison paradigm can be used to discuss a number of separate data-analysis procedures of particular interest to the behavioral sciences (e.g., nominal scale response agreement among multiple raters, M. Friedman's (1937) test, M. G. Kendall's (1970) coefficient of concordance, and E. B. Page's (1963) test. The major intent of this article is pedagogical, and it emphasizes a general conceptual framework that conveniently organizes a number of well-known statistical strategies. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.