Application of ordered probit techniques to analyze ratings of blissymbol complexity

This paper explores the application of ordered probit modeling, an econometric technique commonly used for the analysis of rating data in situations when respondents are asked to rate items (e.g., an object, service, or product), one at a time. To demonstrate the application of this methodology, an existing data set, originally collected to measure the perceived complexities for an array of Blissymbols, was used. Findings from the use of the ordered probit model are compared with those resulting from the earlier research that used regression procedures. Results from the use of ordered probit modeling indicate that variables that in the original study had been found nonsignificant were indeed accounting for differences in the perceived complexity of Blissymbols. Physical length of the symbol, number of semantic units, and number of strokes were found to be positively correlated with perceived Blissymbol complexity. The number of physical units, single configuration, and the word class "verb" were found to be negatively correlated with Blissymbol complexity.