General Correlation Coefficient
Kendall (1944) showed that his tau and Spearman's rho are particular cases of a general correlation coefficient.
Suppose we have a set of objects, which are being considered in relation to two properties, represented by and, forming the sets of values and . To any pair of individuals, say the -th and the -th we assign a -score, denoted by, and a -score, denoted by . The only requirement made to this functions is anti-symmetry, so and . Then the generalised correlation coefficient is defined by
Read more about this topic: Rank Correlation
Famous quotes containing the word general:
“In democratic ages men rarely sacrifice themselves for another, but they show a general compassion for all the human race. One never sees them inflict pointless suffering, and they are glad to relieve the sorrows of others when they can do so without much trouble to themselves. They are not disinterested, but they are gentle.”
—Alexis de Tocqueville (18051859)