Alternative matrix seriation, traditional seriation, and multiple classification.

This study investigated the structural relationships between traditional seriation tasks derived from Piaget's publications and alternative matrix seriation on the one hand, and alternative matrix seriation and multiple classification on the other. Subjects were 464 children from two kindergartens and three primary schools, Grades 1 through 6 who completed these three types of tasks. Factor analysis revealed that the alternative matrix seriation tasks (often used in neo-Piagetian research) did not reflect the same underlying concept as the traditional seriation tasks derived from Piaget's publications. In contrast, we found that alternative matrix seriation referred to the same underlying concept as multiple classification. We concluded that the alternative matrix seriation tasks cannot serve as a replacement for the traditional seriation tasks in assessing a child's seriation capacity.