A Comparison of Tabulation Methods at Two National Individual Events Tournaments: The AFA-NIET and the NFA IE Nationals.
Robert S. Littlefield · 1986
ABSTRACT Comparing the manner_in which contestants' scores were tabulated at both the 1985 American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament (AFA7NIET) and National Forensic_Association Individual Events Nationals (NFA-IEN), a study (1) examined whether a correlation exists between contestants placing in the quarterfinals with five ranks/five ratings_(5R/5R) and those who would have placed with six ranks/six ratings (6R/6R), and (2) replicated an analysis suggesting.that_the AFA7NIET_practice of dropping the low rank and low rating did not significantly alter the group of contestants who would have advanced if all six ranks and ratings had been used. The results of the 1985 NFA-IEN and the AFA-NIET were recalculated using 6R/6R to determine the correlation. Results supported the previous study, indicating that similar groups would have advanced using 6R/6R in the calculation_as did using SR/SR. While contestants advancing to the quarterfinals in each contest were not significattly different, results showed that mowere affected by the inclusion of 6R/6R at the NFA-IEN. Findings also showed that there was a greater shift in contestants' overall rankings at the NFA-IEN. (Statistical tables are included.) (JD)