Spell sequences, state proximities and distance metrics
Title | Spell sequences, state proximities and distance metrics |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2015 |
Authors | Elzinga, C, Studer, M |
Journal | Sociological Methods & Research |
Volume | 44 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 3-47 |
Keywords | duration-weighting, OM, sequence analysis, soft-matching, subsequence |
Abstract | Because OM-distance is not very sensitive to differences in the order of events or states, we introduce a subsequence-based distance measure that can be adapted to subsequence length, to subsequence duration and to soft-matching of states or events. Using a simulation technique developed by Studer 2012, we investigate the sensitivity, relative to OM, of several variants of this metric to variations in order, timing and duration of states. The results show that the behavior of the metric is as intended. Furthermore, we use family formation data from the Swiss Household Panel to compare a few variants of the new metric to OM. The new metrics have been implemented in the freely available TraMineR-package. |
DOI | 10.1177/0049124114540707 |
Refereed Designation | Refereed |