AIMS

... in which we examine:

· the methods of data-collection

	both direct = at the individual level and
	‘derived’ measures of dis/similarity

for input to MDS programs, and

· define the structural characteristics of the input data matrix/ces necessary to decide on appropriate programs

· introduce the NewMDSX library of MDS programs, and especially

the general purpose utility program (WOMBATS) used to calculate appropriate measures for input.

BACKGROUND & SUPPLEMENTARY READING

The material in this module is covered in Chapter 2 of TUG, and the WOMBATS Users Manual.

OBJECTIVES

By the end of this module, you should:

	be able to identify way, mode, shape and format of data matrices;
	understand the strength and weaknesses of methods of direct data-collection and know how to choose an appropriate measure for aggregate data.

EXERCISES

You should (at least) be able to make satisfactory runs of WOMBATS with test data, and then your own (possibly fabricated) data.

Module Downloads

All files are in Acrobat PDF format: Double click on the file title to read on line, or use your right mouse button to "Save target as" to save the file to your disk.

Basic Reading:	Chapter 2 of "The User's Guide to MDS" WOMBATS Documentation Skimpy Matrix Algebra
Additional Reading:
Lecture Notes:	Module 2 (The text above) NewMDSX MDS Survival Data Rectangular Raw Data Processing 2W1M Data Collection - Paired Comparisons