Ranker

Ranker is a software system, for the analysis and benchmarking of results produced by different composite indicators.

Ranker is a prototype of a generalized tool, which allows to:

• acquire in standard format (.xls) values of the different individual indicators available for each unit (eg. geographical areas);
• compute, for each unit, one or more implemented methods;
• display the values and rankings of each method both in tables and graphics;
• compare the rankings of the different methods.

Ranker has implemented eight methods:

• Mazziotta-Pareto Index (MPI) (De Muro et al. 2010);
• Wroclaw (Wroclaw);
• Arithmetic Mean of the z-scores (M1Z);
• Ranking (Grad.RNK);
• Relative indices (IR);
• Arithmetic Mean of index numbers (ANIM);
• Geometric Mean of index numbers (GNIM);
• Squared Mean of index numbers (QNIM).

The data analysis is based on five different phases:

1. The organization and the reading of data:
   The acquired data must be organized in tabular form, in a matrix that describes each territorial unit (in line) according to the value of  the individual indicators (in column). For each indicator considered, it is necessary to provide, in addition, the polarity, distinguishing those that describe an effect “positive” with respect to the dynamics of the phenomenon and those that, on the contrary, are related in the reverse direction and to which corresponds a decreasing ranking of the territorial units;
2. The normalization:
   This step is intended to obtain indicators purified by the specific units of measurement, which are of equal width (eg. between 0 and 100);
3. The aggregation:
   After loading the matrix with individual indicators and after their standardization, the application makes the processing of all the methods mentioned above in order to calculate the relative composite indicators and describe each territorial unit;
4. The visualization:
   Through the application you can view both the values obtained and the rankings derived from them. Besides the description of the numerical values in tabular form, Ranker enables the production of maps that graphically represent the results obtained by each methods;
5. The evaluation of the methods:
   The software enables you to evaluate comparatively the results produced by different methods: in particular, the impact of the choice of the method on the final result (the ranking).A first instrument is given by the matrix of rank correlation obtained comparing different methods. A second instrument used is the matrix plot, which can be produced on the values of the indicators, or better, on the rankings obtained. A final tool is given by the scatter plot calculated on pairs of selected methods.

Istat offers the availability on choosing the online version (i.ranker) or the desktop one. The online version implements the first five methods above descripted and offers the ability to view the values and the ranking resulting from the application of each method both in tabular and graphical layout. The desktop version implements all methods but only allows the tabular display of results.

COPYRIGHT

Copyright 2014 Istat

Licensed under the European Union Public Licence (EUPL), version 1.0 or subsequent. You may not use this work except in compliance with the Licence. You may obtain a copy of the Licence at: http://ec.europa.eu/idabc/eupl.html. Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the Licence is distributed on an “AS IS” basis, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the Licence for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the Licence.

DISCLAIMER

Istat assumes no responsibility for the results arising from use of the instrument that is inconsistent with the methodological guidance contained in the documentation available.

ONLINE SYSTEM

i.ranker

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Release date: 17/02/2015

RANKER version 1.2

TECHNICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION

User manual – Ranker v. 1.2