This collection of papers is the sixth volume in the Comparative Austronesian series. The papers that comprise this volume examine the concept of precedence as a form of local discourse and as a mechanism for ordering status, at different levels, within specific Austronesian-speaking societies. This is the first volume of its kind to focus entirely on precedence and to provide an explication of its social uses and the way in which it is contested. Each paper is ethnographically-focused and offers its own distinctive approach to the examination of precedence. The papers, however, relate closely to one another and are thus able to proffer a variety of comparative reflections.

Full coverage of statistical techniques for developing and implementing precedence-type tests Precedence-Type Tests and Applications provides a comprehensive overview of theoretical and applied approaches to a variety of problems in which precedence-type test procedures can be used. The authors clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of these tests in life-testing situations designed for making quick and reliable decisions in the early stages of an experiment. Most of the text's examples use life-time data; however, theoretical properties are also discussed in the context of precedence testing. Monte Carlo studies are used to illustrate important results. Following the authors' careful step-by-step instructions and guidance, readers master the wide range of statistical techniques involved in the development and implementation of precedence-type tests. The book covers the foundations of precedence testing research from the early 1960s up to the most recent theory and applications, including the authors' current contributions to the field. The book features the following parts: * Part A deals with the original precedence test and some properties of precedence and related test procedures * Part B explores alternatives to precedence testing, including maximal precedence, weighted forms of precedence and maximal precedence, and Wilcoxon-type rank-sum precedence tests and their properties * Part C compares the extension of precedence, maximal precedence, and Wilcoxon-type rank-sum precedence tests to situations in which the sample arising from the life-testing experiment is progressively Type-II censored * Part D examines precedence-type tests in multi-sample situations and selection problems Tables are presented throughout the book to facilitate the application of the tests to practical problems. Helpful examples illustrate all of the precedence-type procedures, and an extensive bibliography enables readers to explore specialized topics in greater depth. This book is a recommended reference for researchers and practitioners in reliability and life-time data analysis, applied probabilists, and engineers. It also serves as a supplemental text for courses in nonparametric statistics and reliability.

This groundbreaking book aims to be the source on how to address international precedence. While precedence as a criterion plays a key role in all aspects of protocol, universal rules governing precedence do not exist. Several different methods exist instead as guidelines. Moreover, we can learn to alter these methods to adapt to cultural differences, circumstances, and the natural evolution of society as the judgment on specific topics shifts. We explore these issues that affect precedence and discuss what precedence effects "who goes where, seating, entering, and exiting venues and events, order of speeches, introductions, food service, toasting, photo opportunities, flag arrangements, etc." There is no other book addressing international precedence in this way, and it is a crucial criterion of protocol. This book is a how-to manual for quick and easy reference. The authors shared on-the-job personal experiences practically bring home the reality of situations, making this an engaging read. Precedence can be complicated when people from different nations, who do not necessarily view the world in the same way, are combined. We will examine some international organizations and seven countries: the French Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Precedence was born of struggle and strife among rulers and their representatives to determine who precedes whom, sits where, speaks when, etc. That quest for order, predictability, and the preservation of civility provided the concept for this book.