Identifying Differences in Foreign Customers’ Relational Behavior: An Exploratory Study Using Multidimensional Scaling

Cognitive differentiation was studied in relationship to socio-politico ideology using 105 Swedish university students. Three indices of cognitive differentiation were defined by use of similarity estimates among nine Swedish political parties and Ekman's multidimensional scaling method. Socio-politico ideology was operationalized by asking the subjects to describe themselves as either Radicals, Liberals, or Conservatives. Cross-classification and likelihood ratio analysis disclosed statistically significant relationships between two of the three indices of cognitive differentiation and socio-politico ideology. The results were discussed in terms of three theories and/or hypotheses, authoritarian personality theory, the extremism hypothesis and the context hypothesis. The significant results were congruent with the context hypothesis.

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A Multidimensional Scaling Approach to Technology Categorization

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181321651322 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 968-971

Author(s):

Sidney T. Scott-Sharoni ◽

Rachel E. Stuck ◽

Bruce N. Walker

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Multidimensional Scaling ◽

Mental Models ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Perceived Similarity ◽

Virtual Devices

The increasing reliance on and advancement of technology requires an in-depth exploration into how users interact with mechanical and virtual devices. To explore how individuals categorize different technologies, we conducted a multidimensional scaling (MDS) study to analyze the perceived similarity or dissimilarity between technologies. In the exploratory study on 23 devices, we found items rated similarly based on two dimensions – technological sophistication and size. Technology categorization, specifically with the use of MDS, is an under investigated approach in human factors that, through further exploration, may yield a better understanding of users’ mental models and acceptance, with utility for both designers and researchers.

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Perceptions of Terms Used to Describe Automation in Vehicles: A Multidimensional Scaling Study

10.31234/osf.io/f8ad4 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Nees

Keyword(s):

Multidimensional Scaling ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Automated Systems ◽

Functional Capabilities ◽

Level Of Automation ◽

Similarity Ratings

Concerns have arisen that the functionality implied by some of the terms used to described automation in vehicles does not align with the actual capabilities of automated systems. An exploratory study examined perceptions of a sample of 39 words, phrases, or names used to described automation in vehicles using similarity ratings analyzed with multidimensional scaling (MDS). Participants rated the extent to which they perceived that pairs of terms indicated similar or dissimilar functional capabilities of vehicles. The model with two dimensions was selected as the most appropriate model for interpretation; the model produced a stress value of .26 and R2 = .80. The first dimension clearly corresponded to the perceived level of automation. In some instances, the model suggested that participants’ perceptions of the terms did not align with the capabilities associated with the technical definitions of the terms. Instances of both under- and over-estimation of capabilities were suggested by the model.

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A hospital clerkship program for dental students: an exploratory study

Journal of Dental Education ◽

10.1002/j.0022-0337.1969.33.2.tb00173.x ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 224-229

Author(s):

EA Stuebner ◽

RP Johnson

Keyword(s):

Exploratory Study ◽

Dental Students

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Classifying Disfluencies in Preschool- and School-Age Spanish–English Bilinguals Who Do Not Stutter: An Exploratory Study

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_persp-19-00164 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 119-130

Author(s):

Raúl Rojas ◽

Farzan Irani

Keyword(s):

Exploratory Study ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Medium Effect ◽

Bilingual Children ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Total Percentage ◽

Narrative Production ◽

Language Measures ◽

Mean Length Of Utterance

Purpose This exploratory study examined the language skills and the type and frequency of disfluencies in the spoken narrative production of Spanish–English bilingual children who do not stutter. Method A cross-sectional sample of 29 bilingual students (16 boys and 13 girls) enrolled in grades prekindergarten through Grade 4 produced a total of 58 narrative retell language samples in English and Spanish. Key outcome measures in each language included the percentage of normal (%ND) and stuttering-like (%SLD) disfluencies, percentage of words in mazes (%MzWds), number of total words, number of different words, and mean length of utterance in words. Results Cross-linguistic, pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences with medium effect sizes for %ND and %MzWds (both lower for English) as well as for number of different words (lower for Spanish). On average, the total percentage of mazed words was higher than 10% in both languages, a pattern driven primarily by %ND; %SLDs were below 1% in both languages. Multiple linear regression models for %ND and %SLD in each language indicated that %MzWds was the primary predictor across languages beyond other language measures and demographic variables. Conclusions The findings extend the evidence base with regard to the frequency and type of disfluencies that can be expected in bilingual children who do not stutter in grades prekindergarten to Grade 4. The data indicate that %MzWds and %ND can similarly index the normal disfluencies of bilingual children during narrative production. The potential clinical implications of the findings from this study are discussed.

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