Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Bayesian Regression Analysis With Examples In S-Plus And R, Sheikh P. Ahmad, A. A. Khan, A. Ahmed

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

An extended version of normal theory Bayesian regression models, including extreme-value, logistic and normal regression models is examined. Methods proposed are illustrated numerically; the regression coefficient of pH on electrical conductivity (EC) of soil data is analyzed using both S-PLUS and R software.

Bayesian Threshold Moving Average Models, Mahmoud M. Smadi, M. T. Alodat

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

A Bayesian approach in threshold moving average model for time series with two regimes is provided. The posterior distribution of the delay and threshold parameters are used to examine and investigate the intrinsic characteristics of this nonlinear time series model. The proposed approach is applied to both simulated data and a real data set obtained from a chemical system. Key words: Threshold time series, moving average model, Bayesian

A Robust One-Sided Variability Control Chart, P. Borysov, Ping Sa

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

A new control charting technique to monitor the variability of any distribution is proposed. The simulation study shows that the new method outperforms all the existing methods in controlling the Type I error rates and it also has good power performance for all distributions considered in the study.

Empirical Methods For Predicting Student Retention- A Summary From The Literature, Matt Bogard

Economics Faculty Publications

The vast majority of the literature related to the empirical estimation of retention models includes a discussion of the theoretical retention framework established by Bean, Braxton, Tinto, Pascarella, Terenzini and others (see Bean, 1980; Bean, 2000; Braxton, 2000; Braxton et al, 2004; Chapman and Pascarella, 1983; Pascarell and Ternzini, 1978; St. John and Cabrera, 2000; Tinto, 1975) This body of research provides a starting point for the consideration of which explanatory variables to include in any model specification, as well as identifying possible data sources. The literature separates itself into two major camps including research related to the hypothesis testing …

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.

An Environmental And Economic Analysis Of The Printing Practices Of Periodicals And Publications By The University Of Rhode Island And Similar Universities Nationwide, Matthew B. Cotton

Senior Honors Projects

An Environmental and Economic Analysis of the Printing Practices of Periodicals and Publications by the University of Rhode Island and Similar Universities Nationwide

Matthew Cotton

Faculty Sponsor: Thomas Husband, Natural Resources Science

Being environmentally-friendly, or “Going Green”, is a relatively new way of thinking that provides both immediate and long term benefits for the environment and the planet while also creating new and exciting business and marketing opportunities. To tap into this movement requires a great deal of commitment, acceptance to change, and selflessness. It means altering one’s perception of the world and their place in it, along with the …

Creating An Environmental Placed Based Education At Norris Elementary, Ben Kittrell

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

This study is focused on creating a place based education program. Place based education programs provide many benefits at the personal level with the students (PBEEC). The study was completed at Norris Elementary School where the students have access to the “Norris Forest” which is a planted forest with a walk way through the trees. Some of the trees are labeled for the students to identify and others are not. A graph of the unlabelled trees has been included for the students or the teachers to use.

This project incorporates activities that will engage the students in order to teach …

21rst Century Educational Farmstead, Trevis Carmichael

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

When Europeans began settling in the United States, farmsteads were built across the Great Plains. Out of necessity, these had to function in a self-sufficient manner; meaning the people had to produce their own food, use local materials, and be energy efficient for their transportation. Parents had to teach their children how to do all of the practical work it took to maintain their lives. This was the foundation that America was built upon. Having completed the first decade of the 21st century, the time seems right for a mental re-settlement that follows some of those same principles. Teaching our …

Educating Young Adults About Sustainable Development, Meghan Lewis

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

This qualitative study on the types of environmental education on different age groups was conducted in Lincoln, Nebraska. The purpose of this thesis is to identify what age group and educational methods would be most effective to educate Lincoln citizens on the importance and benefits of sustainable development. Environmental education is an important aspect in implementation of new, environmentally friendly ideas.

Lincoln environmentalists are working to improve the city’s sustainability. Finding a way to consistently educate Lincoln residents on the importance and benefits of sustainable development will increase the public’s awareness of their efforts, leading to a greater interest in …

Parks And Obesity In Rural And Urban Nebraska, Michaela S. Wolf

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

In order to better understand the role community design plays in obesity rates, this project studies a potential relationship between distance of parks from homes and obesity rates in four Nebraska counties. Park use may contribute to important health benefits, such as reducing risk of obesity by increasing physical activity levels. There are limitations to park use, such as crime rates and facility upkeep that are important to understand so that they might be managed and communities can reap greater benefits from their parks, including better fitness. This study examines park distance from homes as a potential limiting factor to …

A Test That Combines Frequency And Quantitative Information, Norman Cliff

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

In many simple designs, observed frequencies in subclasses defined by a qualitative variable are compared to the frequencies expected on the basis of population proportions, design parameters or models. Often there is a quantitative variable which may be affected in the same way as the frequencies. Its differences among the groups may also be analyzed. A simple test is described that combines the effects on the frequencies and on the quantitative variable based on comparing the sums of the values for the quantitative value within each group to the random expectation. The sampling variance of the difference is derived and …

Comparing The Strength Of Association Of Two Predictors Via Smoothers Or Robust Regression Estimators, Rand R. Wilcox

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Consider three random variables, Y , X₁ and X₂, having some unknown trivariate distribution and let n²_j (j = 1, 2) be some measure of the strength of association between Y and X_j. When n²_j is taken to be Pearson’s correlation numerous methods for testing H_o : n²₁ = n²₂ have been proposed. However, Pearson’s correlation is not robust and the methods for testing H₀ are not level robust in general. This article examines methods for testing H₀ based on a robust fit. The …

Bias In Monte Carlo Simulations Due To Pseudo-Random Number Generator Initial Seed Selection, Jack C. Hill, Shlomo S. Sawilowsky

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Pseudo-random number generators can bias Monte Carlo simulations of the standard normal probability distribution function with initial seeds selection. Five generator designs were initial-seeded with values from 10000_HEX to 1FFFF_HEX, estimates of the mean were calculated for each seed, the distribution of mean estimates was determined for each generator and simulation histories were graphed for selected seeds.

New Perspectives In Applying The Regression-Discontinuity Design For Program Evaluation: A Simulation Analysis, Sally A. Lesik

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Evaluating educational programs is a core component of assessment. One challenge occurs because participants often enter into programs with diverse skills and backgrounds. The regression-discontinuity design has been used to evaluate programs amongst a diverse group, but noncompliance is a limitation. A simulation analysis illustrates the impact of noncompliance.