Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Empirical Methods-A Review: With An Introduction To Data Mining And Machine Learning, Matt Bogard

Economics Faculty Publications

This presentation was part of a staff workshop focused on empirical methods and applied research. This includes a basic overview of regression with matrix algebra, maximum likelihood, inference, and model assumptions. Distinctions are made between paradigms related to classical statistical methods and algorithmic approaches. The presentation concludes with a brief discussion of generalization error, data partitioning, decision trees, and neural networks.

The State Of The Fair Trade Movement, Jeff Goldman, Executive Director

Fair Trade Universities' National Convergence

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Gender On Small Businesses: A Case Study Of Kasigau, Kenya, Leslie Abell, Jerry Daday

Sociology Faculty Presentations

Small businesses are seen as an agent of economic growth in developing countries. Recently, the idea of micro-lending has received increased attention due to its promising effects on employment and personal economic growth in rural developing areas. However, we lack an in depth understanding of how male and female business owners differ.

In the summer of 2007, our research group from Western Kentucky University spent three and a half weeks in a small rural area of Kenya, Africa. This area called Kasigau was situated at the base of Mount Kasigau in eastern Kenya. During our time there, we surveyed the …

Using Student Response Systems In Economics And Finance Classes, Jean Snavely, Michelle Trawick

Finance Faculty Publications

Student response systems (clickers) offer the potential for student engagement and active learning in the classroom. Use of the technology can also help instructors identify areas of uncertainty and use student feedback to customize lectures. Earlier identification of problem areas for both student and instructor should lead to more efficient and effective use of class time and better learning outcomes. This presentation covers best practices in the use of clickers in introductory statistics and principles of managerial finance classes. Topics include how to use clickers, sample exercises, what has worked and what hasn’t worked from personal experience, how to produce …

The Economics Of Water Utilization: Tools And Applications, Matt Bogard

Agriculture Department Seminar Series

Given worldwide problems of access to safe potable water, this presentation examines how tools of economics can aid in drafting appropriate mitigating policies. Utilizing partial equilibrium analysis, it demonstrates the role that prices play in social coordination and then applies the framework to real world examples. In addition it examines Pigouvian Taxation and Coasean Bargaining as two classic methods for dealing with externalities in the context of water pollution. Second-best solutions such as tradable permits and metered pricing by public utilities are discussed. This presentation concludes by examining the issues and challenges that policy makers face when trying to implement …

Power, Privilege, And Special Interests: Rent Seeking And Subsidies In Agriculture, Matt Bogard

Agriculture Department Seminar Series

This presentation covers what Public Choice economists refer to as ‘rent seeking,’ generally seeking favor or special privilege from government through subsidies or regulatory advantages. Particularly, the biotech industry is the area of focus for this presentation. Problems with rent seeking in the biotech industry involve less innovation and industry consolidation. Policies related to biotech regulation, school lunch programs, the Clean Air Act, and ethanol subsidies are discussed. A game theoretic approach is used and it is concluded that issues related to rent seeking and special interests are not adequately addressed by recent campaign finance reform efforts. Alternatives such as …