Skip to main content
Log in

Remarks on the method of paired comparisons: I. The least squares solution assuming equal standard deviations and equal correlations

  • Published:
Psychometrika Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Thurstone's Case V of the method of paired comparisons assumes equal standard deviations of sensations corresponding to stimuli and zero correlations between pairs of stimuli sensations. It is shown that the assumption of zero correlations can be relaxed to an assumption of equal correlations between pairs with no change in method. Further the usual approach to the method of paired comparisons Case V is shown to lead to a least squares estimate of the stimulus positions on the sensation scale.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Guilford, J. P. Psychometric Methods. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1936, 227–8.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Guttman, L. An approach for quantifying paired comparisons and rank order.Annals of math. Stat., 1946,17, 144–163.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Horst, P. A method for determining the absolute affective values of a series of stimulus situations.J. educ. Psychol., 1932,23, 418–440.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Thurstone, L. L. Psychophysical analysis.Amer. J. Psychol., 1927,38, 368–389.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This research was performed in the Laboratory of Social Relations under a grant made available to Harvard University by the RAND Corporation under the Department of the Air Force, Project RAND.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mosteller, F. Remarks on the method of paired comparisons: I. The least squares solution assuming equal standard deviations and equal correlations. Psychometrika 16, 3–9 (1951). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02313422

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02313422

Keywords

Navigation