Spell sequences, state proximities and distance metrics

TitleSpell sequences, state proximities and distance metrics
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsElzinga, C, Studer, M
JournalSociological Methods & Research
Volume44
Issue1
Pagination3-47
Keywordsduration-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.

DOI10.1177/0049124114540707
Refereed DesignationRefereed