The rating of items based on pairwise comparisons has been a topic of statistical investigation for many decades. Numerous approaches have been proposed. One of the best known is the Bradley-Terry model. This paper seeks to assemble and explain a variety of motivations for its use. Some are based on principles or on maximising an objective function; others are derived from well-known statistical models, or stylised game scenarios. They include both examples well-known in the literature as well as what are believed to be novel presentations.

翻译：基于成对比较对项目进行评级是数十年来统计研究的一个主题。目前已提出多种方法，其中最为著名的之一是Bradley-Terry模型。本文旨在汇集并阐释使用该模型的多种动机：部分基于原则或目标函数最大化，部分源于著名统计模型或典型博弈场景。这些动机既包含文献中广为人知的范例，也涵盖据信为新颖的表述方式。