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Caveats on a process‐tracing measure and a remedy
Author(s) -
Böckenholt Ulf,
Hynan Linda S.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of behavioral decision making
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1099-0771
pISSN - 0894-3257
DOI - 10.1002/bdm.3960070203
Subject(s) - process tracing , tracing , index (typography) , computer science , measure (data warehouse) , representation (politics) , process (computing) , econometrics , sensitivity (control systems) , machine learning , artificial intelligence , data mining , mathematics , electronic engineering , politics , world wide web , political science , law , engineering , operating system
In process‐tracing studies, a frequently used index describes whether information selection behavior is attribute — or alternativewise. The performance of this index is investigated under the assumption that subjects select information in a random fashion. The results show that the index may lead to inaccurate conclusions regarding the information‐acquisition strategy of a subject. In addition, a Monte Carlo study is conducted that examines the sensitivity of the index to strategy changes. An alternative index is derived and a latent‐class model is proposed for a parsimonious representation of individual differences in information acquisition.