BMDS: A Collection of R Functions for Bayesian Multidimensional Scaling

Autor/inn/en	Okada, Kensuke; Shigemasu, Kazuo
Titel	BMDS: A Collection of R Functions for Bayesian Multidimensional Scaling
Quelle	In: Applied Psychological Measurement, 33 (2009) 7, S.570-571 (2 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0146-6216
DOI	10.1177/0146621608321761
Schlagwörter	Bayesian Statistics; Multidimensional Scaling; Computation; Computer Software; Markov Processes; Monte Carlo Methods; Error of Measurement + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Mehrdimensionale Analysis; Markowscher Prozess; Monte-Carlo-Methode; Messfehler
Abstract	Bayesian multidimensional scaling (MDS) has attracted a great deal of attention because: (1) it provides a better fit than do classical MDS and ALSCAL; (2) it provides estimation errors of the distances; and (3) the Bayesian dimension selection criterion, MDSIC, provides a direct indication of optimal dimensionality. However, Bayesian MDS is not yet widely used as a psychological measurement tool. This can be attributed to the apparent lack of software, because there is none except for Oh and Raftery's (2001) original code, which requires substantial experience in Fortran programming and the IMSL library, which is a commercial library for numerical calculations. It may therefore be difficult for many researchers to acquire such an environment. Considering this situation, a set of R functions is proposed, BMDS, to perform Bayesian MDS and to evaluate the results. R is a free language and environment for statistical computing and graphics. Using BMDS, researchers can: (1) perform Bayesian estimation in MDS; (2) check the convergence of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation; (3) evaluate the optimal number of dimensions; (4) evaluate the estimation errors; and (5) plot the resultant configurations. Moreover, using BMDS, users can evaluate the results of Bayesian and classical MDS comparatively in terms of the value of stress and a plot of observed and estimated distances. In short, BMDS provides a free and comprehensive solution for Bayesian MDS users. BMDS runs on a Windows-based computer with R and WinBUGS installed, both of which are available at no cost. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10