Analyzing human random generation behavior: A review of methods used and a computer program for describing performance

The different methods that have been developed to quantify random generation behavior and incorporate these measurement scales into a Windows95 computer program called RgCalc, designed to be appropriate for the analysis of various types of random generation situations employed in the psychological literature.

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the different methods that have been developed to quantify random generation behavior and incorporate these measurement scales into a Windows95 computer program called RgCalc. RgCalc analyzes the quality of human attempts at random generation and can provide computer-generated, pseudorandom sequences for comparison. The program is designed to be appropriate for the analysis of various types of random generation situations employed in the psychological literature. The different algorithms for the evaluation of a dataset are detailed and an outline of the program is described. Performance measures are available for assessing various aspects of the response distribution, the sequencing of pairs, the ordinal relationships between sets of items, and the tendency to repeat alternatives over different lengths. A factor analysis is used to illustrate the multiple dimensions underlying human randomization processes.