Markov Analysis

Markov analysis provides a means of analyzing sequences, often called “chains,” to determine whether some sequences occur more frequently than expected due to random chance. Communication applications of this technique usually involve an analysis of the sequence of moves or issues in a conversation. The focus becomes whether certain sequences take place more often than other sequences. Markov analysis can be used to also examine whether certain sequences occur less frequently than would be expected due to random chance. The Markov analysis examines the probability of particular sequences to determine whether or not the sequence occurs more frequently than would be expected due to random chance.

Consider the simplest set of binary possible combinations in a conversation, a question and answer. If one ...