A multistage ranking model

In this paper, we propose a (n - 1)(2) parameter, multistage ranking model, which represents a generalization of Luce's model. We propose the n x n it em-rank relative frequency matrix (p-matrix) as a device for summarizing a set of rankings. As an alternative to the traditional maximum likelihood es timation, for the proposed model we suggest a method which estimates the pa rameters from the p-matrix. An illustrative numerical example is given. The proposed model and its differences from Luce's model are briefly discussed . We also show some special p-matrix patterns possessed by the Thurstonian models and distance-based models.