Ranking of Multivariate Populations: A Permutation Approach with Applications

presents a novel permutation-based nonparametric approach for ranking several multivariate populations. Using data collected from both experimental and observation studies, it covers some of the most useful designs widely applied in research and industry investigations, such as multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and multivariate randomized complete block (MRCB) designs.

The first section of the book introduces the topic of ranking multivariate populations by presenting the main theoretical ideas and an in-depth literature review. The second section discusses a large number of real case studies from four specific research areas: new product development in industry, perceived quality of the indoor environment, customer satisfaction, and cytological and histological analysis by image processing. A web-based nonparametric combination global ranking software is also described.

Designed for practitioners and postgraduate students in statistics and the applied sciences, this application-oriented book offers a practical guide to the reliable global ranking of multivariate items, such as products, processes, and services, in terms of the performance of all investigated products/prototypes.