This is
an example of using the paired comparisons
technique to decide something simple like the flavor of ice cream we
prefer. We started by writing down the flavors of ice cream: chocolate, vanilla,
strawberry, and black walnut. Then we compared one flavor to the next and circled
our preference. Notice that to the right of "chocolate" we circled the first numeral one, 1, indicating
that we prefer chocolate (#1) over vanilla (#2). We then circled #3 indicating that we prefer
strawberry over #1 chocolate. In the last column we circled #1, preferring chocolate over #4
black walnut.
We continued this selection process until we had made a choice on each pair of
flavors.
Next, we counted up the number of times we circled each number. The number circled the most frequently reflects our ice flavor preference. In this example, we circled #1 chocolate two times; #2 vanilla one time; #3 strawberry three times; and #4 black walnut wasn't circled. Using the paired comparison technique, strawberry is our favorite flavor of ice cream. Will that be one dip or two?
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