PREFER -- Resource Selection Software
The program PREFER performs calculations described in Johnson (1980) to determine the preference of J individuals for I components (for example, habitat types or kinds of foods) using availability and use data. The method is based on ranks of the components by availability and by use. Accordingly, a virtue of the method is that it provides comparable results whether a questionable component is included or excluded from consideration. Other methods of determining resource preference depend critically on the array of components that the researcher deems available to the animal; such decisions are often arbitrary. PREFER tests the hypothesis that all components are equally preferred and compares components using a multiple comparison procedure.
This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication 0441):
Johnson, Douglas H. 1980. The comparison of usage and availability measurements for evaluating resource preference. Ecology 61:65-71.This resource should be cited as:
Johnson, Douglas H. 1980. The comparison of usage and availability measurements for evaluating resource preference. Ecology 61:65-71. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/methods/prefer/index.htm (Version 16JUL97).
Downloading Instructions -- Instructions on downloading and extracting files from this site.
prefdos.zip (33K) -- PREFER for MS-Dos (requires math coprocessor)
prefwin.zip (555K) -- PREFER for Windows 3.x
prefos2.zip (825K) PREFER for OS/2 2.x
Installation:
- PREFER for MS-Dos: Extract the files and read the file PREFER.DOC
for further installation instructions.
- PREFER for Windows: Extract the files and read the file README for further installation instructions.
- PREFER for OS/2: Extract the files and read the file README.TXT for further installation instructions.
- PREFER for Windows: Extract the files and read the file README for further installation instructions.