Extension to Communities

Tips For Paired Comparisons

It can be difficult to set priorities, especially when you think all the options are important. This worksheet can help you decide. First, list three to five existing programs that seem important to continue. Then, list three to five new programs that you are considering. Compare each item with all of the other items and circle the one with the highest priority in the column on the right. For instance, on line one, compare the first program with the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth, circling the highest priority in each pair. Repeat until all pairs have been compared.

                  Programs                           Comparison

1. ________________________________________      1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
                                                 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2. ________________________________________        2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
                                                   3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

3. ________________________________________          3 3 3 3 3 3 3
                                                     4 5 6 7 8 9 10

4. ________________________________________            4 4 4 4 4 4
                                                       5 6 7 8 9 10

5. ________________________________________              5 5 5 5 5
                                                         6 7 8 9 10

6. ________________________________________                6 6 6 6
                                                           7 8 9 10

7. ________________________________________                  7 7 7
                                                             8 9 10

8. ________________________________________                    8 8
                                                               9 10

9. ________________________________________                      9
                                                                 10

10. _______________________________________

Now look at your results and, if applicable, the choices of the group. Count how many times you circled each number and enter in the left-hand spaces below. Enter the group totals in the right-hand spaces. The numbers circled the most times should be the top priorities. How do your priorities compare with those of the total group?


  1 ___ ___     2 ___ ___     3 ___ ___     4 ___ ___      5 ___ ___

  6 ___ ___     7 ___ ___     8 ___ ___     9 ___ ___     10 ___ ___

The Paired Comparison approach works well in any group setting where the alternatives must be prioritized. This approach allows each idea to be directly compared with all others toward a democratic voting outcome.

Example of using Paired Comparisions to determine ice cream flavor preference.

Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.
Questions or comments? Contact the Extension to Communities Secretary, lindaek@iastate.edu
last updated Thursday March 01 2001