A procedure for generating a random number sequence using at least seven individuals

Abstract

We verify through experimentation that humans, individually, cannot generate a random number sequence due to fatigue and inherent biases. Humans often neglect certain numbers and have tendencies to repeat or to avoid repeating particular pairs of numbers. We, however, demonstrate that the alternating sequence of numbers generated by seven or more individuals can produce a random series. The similarity between the relative frequencies of actual collective results and that of a random sequence are evaluated using Linfoot's criteria of Fidelity, Structural Content, and Correlation Quality.