Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Penalized Splines For Longitudinal Data With An Application In Aids Studies, Hua Liang, Yuanhui Xiao

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

A penalized spline approximation is proposed in considering nonparametric regression for longitudinal data. Standard linear mixed-effects modeling can be applied for the estimation. It is relatively simple, efficiently computed, and robust to the smooth parameters selection, which are often encountered when local polynomial and smoothing spline techniques are used to analyze longitudinal data set. The method is extended to time-varying coefficient mixed-effects models. The proposed methods are applied to data from an AIDS clinical study. Biological interpretations and clinical implications are discussed. Simulation studies are done to illustrate the proposed methods.

Choosing Smoothing Parameters For Exponential Smoothing: Minimizing Sums Of Squared Versus Sums Of Absolute Errors, Terry E. Dielman

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

When choosing smoothing parameters in exponential smoothing, the choice can be made by either minimizing the sum of squared one-step-ahead forecast errors or minimizing the sum of the absolute onestep- ahead forecast errors. In this article, the resulting forecast accuracy is used to compare these two options.

The Efficiency Of Ols In The Presence Of Auto-Correlated Disturbances In Regression Models, Samir Safi, Alexander White

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

The ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates in the regression model are efficient when the disturbances have mean zero, constant variance, and are uncorrelated. In problems concerning time series, it is often the case that the disturbances are correlated. Using computer simulations, the robustness of various estimators are considered, including estimated generalized least squares. It was found that if the disturbance structure is autoregressive and the dependent variable is nonstochastic and linear or quadratic, the OLS performs nearly as well as its competitors. For other forms of the dependent variable, rules of thumb are presented to guide practitioners in the choice …

Understanding Eurasian Convergence: Application Of Kohonen Self-Organizing Maps, Joel I. Deichmann, Abdolreza Eshghi, Dominique Haughton, Selin Sayek, Nicholas Teebagy, Heikki Topi

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Kohonen self-organizing maps (SOMs) are employed to examine economic and social convergence of Eurasian countries based on a set of twenty-eight socio-economic measures. A core of European Union states is identified that provides a benchmark against which convergence of post-socialist transition economies may be judged. The Central European Visegrád countries and Baltics show the greatest economic convergence to Western Europe, while other states form clusters that lag behind. Initial conditions on the social dimension can either facilitate or constrain economic convergence, as discovered in Central Europe vis-à-vis the Central Asian Republics. Disquiet in the convergence literature is resolved by providing …

Analysis Of Type-Ii Progressively Hybrid Censored Competing Risks Data, Debasis Kundu, Avijit Joarder

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

A Type-II progressively hybrid censoring scheme for competing risks data is introduced, where the experiment terminates at a pre-specified time. The likelihood inference of the unknown parameters is derived under the assumptions that the lifetime distributions of the different causes are independent and exponentially distributed. The maximum likelihood estimators of the unknown parameters are obtained in exact forms. Asymptotic confidence intervals and two bootstrap confidence intervals are also proposed. Bayes estimates and credible intervals of the unknown parameters are obtained under the assumption of gamma priors on the unknown parameters. Different methods have been compared using Monte Carlo simulations. One …

Jmasm23: Cluster Analysis In Epidemiological Data (Matlab), Andrés M. Alonso

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Matlab functions for testing the existence of time, space and time-space clusters of disease occurrences are presented. The classical scan test, the Ederer, Myers and Mantel’s test, the Ohno, Aoki and Aoki’s test, and the Knox’s test are considered.

Properties Of Bound Estimators On Treatment Effect Heterogeneity For Binary Outcomes, Edward J. Mascha, Jeffrey M. Albert

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Variability in individual causal effects, treatment effect heterogeneity (TEH), is important to the interpretation of clinical trial results, regardless of the marginal treatment effect. Unfortunately, it is usually ignored. In the setting of two-arm randomized studies with binary outcomes, there are estimators for bounds on the probability of control success and treatment failure for an individual, or the treatment risk. Here, those bounds were refined and the sampling properties were assessed using simulations of correlated multinomial data via the Dirichlet multinomial. Results indicated low bias and mean squared error. Moderate to high intraclass correlation (ICC) and large numbers of clusters …

Two New Unbiased Point Estimates Of A Population Variance, Matthew E. Elam

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Two new unbiased point estimates of an unknown population variance are introduced. They are compared to three known estimates using the mean-square error (MSE). A computer program, which is available for download at http://program.20m.com, is developed for performing calculations for the estimates.

Multiple Comparison Procedures, Trimmed Means And Transformed Statistics, Rhonda K. Kowalchuk, H. J. Keselman, Rand R. Wilcox, James Algina, James Algina, James Algina

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

A modification to testing pairwise comparisons that may provide better control of Type I errors in the presence of non-normality is to use a preliminary test for symmetry which determines whether data should be trimmed symmetrically or asymmetrically. Several pairwise MCPs were investigated, employing a test of symmetry with a number of heteroscedastic test statistics that used trimmed means and Winsorized variances. Results showed improved Type I error control than competing robust statistics.

Confidence Intervals On Subsets May Be Misleading, Juliet Popper Shaffer

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

No abstract provided.

Primetimes Newsletter, Spring 2006, Office Of Lifespan Studies

PrimeTimes Newsletter

PrimeTimes is the newsletter of the Office of Lifespan Studies in the College of Science at Coastal Carolina University.

Projecting The Economic Impact Of The Fayetteville Shale Play For 2005-2008, Jeffery T. Collins, Katherine A. Deck

Publications and Presentations

This study projects the general economic impact from exploration and development activities related to the Fayetteville Shale. The Fayetteville Shale is an unconventional gas reservoir located on the Arkansas side of the Arkoma Basin, ranging in thickness from 50 to 325 feet and ranging in depth from 1,500 to 6,500 feet. The Fayetteville Shale is aerially extensive and may be present across numerous counties in central and eastern Arkansas, including the counties of Cleburne, Conway, Faulkner, Independence, Johnson, St. Francis, Prairie, Van Buren, White, and Woodruff.

Assessing The Economic Impact Of The Fayetteville, Arkansas Smoking Ban, Jeffery T. Collins

Publications and Presentations

This report is the third in a series of studies examining the impact of the implementation of the smoke-free ordinance in Fayetteville, Arkansas in March of 2004. The ban on smoking in public places in Fayetteville provides an opportunity to scientifically investigate the economic impact of this change in public policy. By comparing pre-ban historical economic growth rates to post-ban growth rates both within the city of Fayetteville and in comparable communities, some measure of the impact can be developed. Variables of interest include hotel, motel, and restaurant (HMR) taxes, employment, and sales taxes. The changes in these variables need …

Rhode Island Current Conditions Index -- May 2006, Leonard Lardaro

The Rhode Island Current Conditions Index

No abstract provided.

Popular Representations Of Jewish Identity On Primetime Television: The Case Of The O.C., Tamara Olson

Media and Cultural Studies Honors Projects

Relying on a close reading of the primetime television soap opera The O.C., this thesis argues that Jewish identity on television has become perfectly compatible with normative Whiteness. While The O.C. is filled with signifiers of Jewishness, they are cultural rather than religious and are celebrated rather than rejected by WASPs. This analysis highlights the way Jews have been transformed from racialized “Others” in popular culture to Whites who embrace Jewish cultural styles, especially Jewish humor.

Rethinking Transitional Justice: Cambodia, Genocide, And A Victim-Centered Model, Isabelle Chan

International Studies Honors Projects

Through a normative and explanatory approach, this thesis explores the historical and political factors that could influence the pursuit of transitional justice in Cambodia. The study suggests that a victim-centered model will meet the goals of reconciliation, truth, and healing advocated by the Cambodian Government and the international community. Recognizing the necessities and positive potentialities inherent in a combined prosecutorial and restorative approach of transitional justice, this research calls upon historical and comparative lessons to bring forth public policy recommendations for the Hun Sen Government and the United Nations. The study concludes with avenues for additional research on Cambodia, transitional …

Hudson Valley Catholic Deaf Center, May 2006

Hudson Valley Catholic Deaf Center

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in Poughkeepsie,NY

Hudson Valley Catholic Deaf Center Finding Aid

Daily Devotions For The Deaf, May-August 2006

Daily Devotions for the Deaf

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in Council Bluffs, IA

Daily Devotions for the Deaf Finding Aid

The Effects Of Speech Rate On Comprehension, Jamilah Adams, Michelle Weber

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

There is a perception that the rate of speech affects the level of comprehensibility of a listener. If the rate of a speaker during a speech or lecture does in fact affect the level of comprehension, then the speaker would have to modify his/her rate of speech in order to benefit the ears of all his/her listeners. In the present study, 40 participants listened to four passages, taken from www.testpreview.com all recorded at varying speeds, after which they answered 10 questions that corresponded with the passages. Results found that speech rate had no effect on comprehension. However, findings based on …

Spartan Daily, May 1, 2006, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 126, Issue 49

Assessing The Impact Of Ethical Training On Law Enforcement Personnel, Tina L. Lee

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the opinions of police officers in regards to satisfaction with ethics training. The participants in this study were police officers in city/municipal and county law enforcement agencies. Ethics training is very important in the field o f law enforcement because of the many temptations that officers face and the tremendous amount of authority that society gives to the police. In order to investigate officer’s satisfaction with ethics training, the Ethics Training Questionnaire (ETQ) was developed. This questionnaire contained two parts. The first part was completed by police administrators, and the second part …

Psychological Response To Injury, Recovery, And Social Support: A Survey Of Athletes At An Ncaa Division I University, Courtney A. Klenk

Senior Honors Projects

According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, “In the last 10 years, college sports have flourished, with athletes required to train and compete year-round rather than seasonally . . .At the same time, athletes are getting bigger, stronger and more physical – which leads to a greater risk of injury.” Sports injury can be traumatic for many athletes because it is an important component of their self-identity. In addition to the physical pain of an injury, athletes struggle psychologically, however little is known about their emotional response, recovery, and need for social support. The Emotional Response of Athletes to Injury …

Gambling For Certainty: Luck, Chance, And Uncertainty In Politics, Mindy Peden, Nicole Rishel

Political Science

How much of what we do is the result of our will, and how much the result of chance or luck or fortune? This is a decidedly un-decidable question, but one that needs to be asked. The general assumption seems to be that a person’s “lot” in life is physically, morally, politically, even romantically linked to choice. But the use of the term “lot” betrays the underlying uncertainty of what “causes” our “lot”, laying bare questions of responsibility, burden, and even explanation. Much (perhaps at the very least 50% according to Machiavelli) of what happens in our lives can be …

The Unique Social Isolation Homosexual Adolescents Experience, Marisa Finnerty

Social Work Theses

A pioneering group of teenagers are identifying themselves as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning (GLBTQ). GLBTQ adolescents experience a unique social isolation as compared with other minority and oppressed groups. However, current research and interventions is aimed at addressing their social isolation only once these adolescents have "come out". It was hypothesized that before "coming out" the social isolation that GLBTQ feel may be lessoned by educating all children before they begin to explore their sexual identity. A booklet was developed using feelings, experiences and supports before and after the "coming out" process, as identified by GLBTQ adolescents. With …

Building A Global Community: Bridging And Bonding Through International Social Work, Erica Rioux

Social Work Theses

Globalization has created a world in which social problems are interconnected and inter reliant. Social problems such as AIDS and extreme poverty can not be resolved by independent countries; they must be addressed on a global scale. Social Workers must respond to the global demands and expand their international knowledge base and participation. Research on the present state of AIDS and extreme poverty in the world was conducted. An exploration of the current reforms and their success rate was researched. A comparative analysis of two international without borders organization, Doctors Without Borders and Engineers Without Borders was performed. Findings revealed …

2005-2006, Full Issue

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Study Of Stakeholders' Beliefs About The Use Of A Standards-Based Academic Reporting System, Gina Gail Berridge

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As school districts across our nation are making changes in curriculum and instruction to comply with the mandates of No Child Left Behind (No Child Left Behind, 2002), new reports to parents about student achievement are emerging. These reports are standards-based and clearly communicate to stakeholders what the student knows and is able to do based on the state standards. This qualitative case study, analyzing data collected in the 2005-2006 school year, describes principals', teachers', and parents' beliefs about the use of a standards-based report card. Through the use of individual interviews, insight was gained about the views and opinions …

Using The Dynamic Indicators Of Basic Early Literacy Skills To Identify Students At-Risk For Reading Difficulties, Rachael Sloan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Reading is an essential skill that facilitates the development of later academic skills. Research has shown that phonological awareness at a young age is a strong predictor of later reading skills. As such, it is important to identify students who struggle with reading and phonological awareness at a young age. It is equally important that the tools used to identify early reading difficulties are appropriate and accurate for a given school district. The purpose of the current project was to examine the published benchmarks for the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) in the identification of students as …

Birth Order Effects On Academic Performance, January Boston, Kristal Cook

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

In the experiment, 85 participants were recruited to participate in a questionnaire regarding birth order and academic performance by grade point averages (GPA). The survey was conducted to determine if there was a relationship between an individual's birth order and an individual's academic performance. Both of the experimenters come from relatively large families so we were interested to see if there was a positive or negative relationship between academic performance and birth orders. There was statistical significance between birth order and GPA however; the positive correlation was between the youngest siblings and the highest GPA.

Moods And Their Effects, Leaha Sharpe

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

The purpose of this project is to find out whether positive or negative moods will carry over into an experiment with a simple fill in the blank statement, which states, “When it comes down to it, people are basically _______”. Participants used in this study consisted of 50 undergraduate student volunteers from Lindenwood University. The participant was asked to answer the previous statement and then to fill in a questionnaire regarding the current and normal moods of the individual. Statistically, there was no significant correlation between the statement and the current mood of the participant. It is concluded that participants …