Introduction aux Méthodes d’Appariement Optimal (Optimal Matching Analysis)

This working paper aims at introducing a new statistical technique whichallows to describe sequences: Optimal Matching Analysis (OMA). Borrowed tobiology, this technique is based on rather simple principles that can be adaptedto suit the theoretical requirements of many analyses. Since OMA is not basedon any causal assumption, this method is particularly of interest to sociologiststo analyze action as a process. Two applications of this method to time-use dataare proposed in order to demonstrate its flexibility but also its sociologicalinterest.