Design of Experiments and Sample Surveys Commons^™

Accessible Real-Time Eye-Gaze Tracking For Neurocognitive Health Assessments, A Multimodal Web-Based Approach, Daniel C. Tisdale

Master's Theses

We introduce a novel integration of real-time, predictive eye-gaze tracking models into a multimodal dialogue system tailored for remote health assessments. This system is designed to be highly accessible requiring only a conventional webcam for video input along with minimal cursor interaction and utilizes engaging gaze-based tasks that can be performed directly in a web browser. We have crafted dynamic subsystems that capture high-quality data efficiently and maintain quality through instances of user attrition and incomplete calls. Additionally, these subsystems are designed with the foresight to allow for future re-analysis using improved predictive models, as well as enable the creation …

Stock Market Volatility In The United Kingdom: Simulating Post-Covid-19 Recovery, Bala A. Dahiru, Mohammed Shuaibu, Najibullah Hassanov

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This paper investigates the time it would take for the FTSE-100 index to reach its post-COVID-19 peak. The paper utilises an exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) model that accounts for leverage effect and asymmetries. The preferred models amongst competing variants was the Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA)-EGARCH(2,1) specification and was used to predict daily FTSE-100 data from 5th January 2000 to 21st June 2024. The empirical exercise showed that the COVID-19-induced financial crisis negatively affected the United Kingdom’s stock market performance. The results show that the FTSE100 index could reach its post-pandemic peak around 27th August, 2024 (two months after …

Understanding Perspectives Of Power In A College Mathematics Classroom, Laura Seeberger

Honors College Theses

Power is embedded in teacher and student actions within mathematics classrooms, whether that power is known or not. Incorporating equity and inclusiveness requires a deeper understanding of this power behind actions. In this study, we developed and administered a three part survey questioning college faculty and college students how they perceive power related to common actions within a college mathematics classroom. For example, participants were asked whether a college math teacher assigning homework increased, decreased, or did both to the teacher’s power; then whether this action increased, decreased, or did both to a student’s power. Analysis of 16 faculty and …

Statistical Methodologies For Sequential Online Controlled Experiments, Yangyi Li

All Dissertations

Online controlled experiments, primarily used on digital platforms like websites or apps, involve varying certain variables while keeping others constant to determine their effects on specific outcomes. This method allows researchers to compare results with a control group, gaining reliable insights. These experiments have grown popular among companies for assessing product impacts and guiding decision-making.

This dissertation presents a group Sequential Probability Ratio Testing (group SPRT) algorithm optimized for online experiments to balance sample number and accuracy by minimizing expected costs. It contrasts group SPRT with traditional SPRT under normal distributions, revealing differences in test power, sample size, and cost …

Using The History Of Statistics To Teach Introductory Statistics, Melissa Hansen

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

While often taught in high school and required as part of a college degree, statistics classes are sometimes viewed by students as an obstacle rather than a support for their overall goals. One way to increase student engagement in a statistics course is to use the history of statistics. Within the literature review, the advantages to using the history of statistics are discussed as well as the more extensive research on using the history of mathematics in mathematics courses. Included are instructional strategies for using the context around the development of mathematical ideas in math classrooms which can be extended …

Simulating Human-Autonomous Aircraft Teams In An Anti-Access Area Denial (A2ad) Environment, Michael Kaminski

Theses and Dissertations

The role of autonomy has evolved recently, demanding tighter integration between human and autonomous systems, particularly in highly contested A2AD environments. Near-peer adversaries have modernized their integrated air defense systems (IADS), diminishing the current advantages of the United States Air Force. To regain air dominance, efforts like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program are underway, aiming to deploy unmanned autonomous alongside manned next-generation fighter aircraft. This research assesses various operational concepts, focusing on autonomous tactics post-manned fighter loss, strike timing of independent teams, and weapon configuration observability. Using the Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration and Modeling (AFSIM), an agent-based model …

Housing Preferences And Vertical Expansion Potential In Riyadh City, Nasser R. Alrashed

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the demand for apartment living in Riyadh's northern area and assesses its implications for vertical urban development, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Employing a quantitative methodology, a structured survey was distributed to a diverse cross-section of Riyadh's population, focusing on housing preferences and perceptions of vertical living. Key findings indicate a significant demand for apartments, primarily from young to middle-aged, smaller households in low to middle-income brackets. Notably, a substantial portion of respondents showed a preference for high-rise living, suggesting a readiness for vertical expansion to manage the city's growing population. The study concludes that Riyadh's …

Action Plan: Gym Cleanliness At The Jaeger Center, Blair A. O'Connor

CAFE Symposium 2024

I have created an action plan to assess current patrons' satisfaction with the cleaning materials provided at the Gettysburg College Jaeger Center, and increase the amount or variety if the need is there. Due to a combination of behaviors and bacteria in the Jaeger Center, gym users are at risk of contracting infections. The objective of this plan is for gym users to feel more empowered and safe in their environment. While there may be individuals who feel like increased disinfecting efforts and supplies are not necessary at the Jaeger Center, what may not be a concern for one person …

Incorporating Effects-Based Approaches Into Environmental Impact Assessment To Improve Post-Development Monitoring, Carolyn J M Brown

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Over the last 50 years, improvements in design of industrial facilities have significantly reduced environmental impacts. But impacts still occur and monitoring programs are the main mechanism to inform when modification/implementation of mitigation is needed. Informed decisions require adequate baseline (pre-development) data to predict impacts based on the development’s design and to understand when the post-development environment has changed. An adaptive monitoring plan provides an effective way to evaluate monitoring results and allow for proactive responses to environmental change before impacts become difficult or challenging to reverse. Unfortunately, baseline data gathered during an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is often inadequate …

Imputation Strategies For Different Categories Of Missing Data, Karthik Chalumuri

Honors Theses and Capstones

Addressing missing data in research is crucial for ensuring the reliability and validity of study findings, yet it remains a significant challenge. This study investigates the impact of missing data on research outcomes and explores the underutilization of existing tools for managing missingness, potentially leading to gaps in critical information with tangible implications for decision-making processes (Dziura et al.).

Focusing on the different categories of missing data—Missing Completely At Random (MCAR), Missing At Random (MAR), and Missing Not At Random (MNAR)—this research examines various imputation strategies tailored to each category. Specifically, we compare the efficacy of several model-based imputation methods, …

Scalar-On-Function Regression: Estimation And Inference Under Complex Survey Designs, Ekaterina Smirnova, Erjia Cui, Lucia Tabacu, Andrew Leroux

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Increasingly, large, nationally representative health and behavioral surveys conducted under a multistage stratified sampling scheme collect high dimensional data with correlation structured along some domain (eg, wearable sensor data measured continuously and correlated over time, imaging data with spatiotemporal correlation) with the goal of associating these data with health outcomes. Analysis of this sort requires novel methodologic work at the intersection of survey statistics and functional data analysis. Here, we address this crucial gap in the literature by proposing an estimation and inferential framework for generalizable scalar-on-function regression models for data collected under a complex survey design. We propose to: …

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Does The Design And Personalization Of Mailed Invitations Influence Online Survey Response Rates?, Brock Ternes

The SUNY Journal of the Scholarship of Engagement: JoSE

Nonresponse to online surveys has been a notable concern of survey methodologists, who continue to implement strategies and incentives to boost returns. Don Dillman’s methods emphasize tailored designs to maximize response rates, and this paper assesses how mailed notification designs and requested deadlines for completion influence online survey response rates. Using a target population of rural Kansans, this paper assesses how minor changes in printed notifications are connected to participation in an online survey. Postcards were mailed to private water well owners inviting recipients to complete a 40-item online questionnaire about their water usage; notifications varied in their personalization of …

The Relationship Between Pets Owned And Gender Amongst College Students, Eman Asghar, Bryce Camuso, Josh Feirick

Harrisburg University Research Symposium: Highlighting Research, Innovation, & Creativity

There is a gap between the number of men and women that own dogs. The Mintel Press Team states that "71% of men aged 18-44 own a dog compared to 60% of their female counterparts" (Mintel Press Team, 2016, para: 1). While this statistic includes people who are college-aged, it does not mention college students specifically. Thus, research into the relationship between pets owned and gender amongst college students is an important topic that warrants looking into.

The Knowledge Of One's Blood Type, Mackenzie Degroft, Ethan Hall, Scarlet Morillo

Harrisburg University Research Symposium: Highlighting Research, Innovation, & Creativity

An experiment of sample surveys of undergraduate students' knowledge of their blood type.

Improving Deep Reinforcement Learning Methodology For Autonomous Defense And Escort Of Military High-Value Assets, Joseph Liles Iv

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the application of machine learning to the control of autonomous unmanned combat aerial vehicles (AUCAVs). In particular, this research applies deep reinforcement learning methodologies to a defensive air combat scenario wherein a fleet of AUCAVs protects a military high-value asset (HVA). A collection of air battle management scenarios along with an original simulation environment and a set of designed computational experiments support the approximation of high-quality decision policies by employing Markov decision processes, approximate dynamic programming algorithms, and deep neural networks for value function approximation.

A Comparison Of Quaternion Neural Network Backpropagation Algorithms, Jeremiah Bill, Bruce A. Cox, Lance Champaign

Faculty Publications

This research paper focuses on quaternion neural networks (QNNs) - a type of neural network wherein the weights, biases, and input values are all represented as quaternion numbers. Previous studies have shown that QNNs outperform real-valued neural networks in basic tasks and have potential in high-dimensional problem spaces. However, research on QNNs has been fragmented, with contributions from different mathematical and engineering domains leading to unintentional overlap in QNN literature. This work aims to unify existing research by evaluating four distinct QNN backpropagation algorithms, including the novel GHR-calculus backpropagation algorithm, and providing concise, scalable implementations of each algorithm using a …

What Makes An Impartial Jury? Perceptions Of Jury Impartiality And Court Legitimacy, Joshua P. Freitag

Quantitative Social Science Undergraduate Senior Theses

In light of decreasing trust in courts at all levels of the American justice system, it is more important than ever to understand what affects people’s perceptions of the courts as fair, just, and legitimate. The Black Lives Matter protests highlighted a racial element to perceptions of impartiality in the jury system. Existing literature reveals a complex historical relationship between race and the jury, but little research has been done on public perceptions of race in the jury box.

With a novel two-experiment design using a survey instrument and a half White–half Black respondent sample pool fielded using Prolific, I …

Improving The Efficiency Of Exponential Ratio-Type Estimator For Population Median: A Calibration Weight Adjustment Approach, Mathew J. Iseh, Kufre J. Bassey

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

This paper modifies the Bahl and Tuteja exponential ratio-type estimator for population median under simple random and stratified sampling schemes using calibration weight adjustment technique with supplementary information to vary the stratum weights. The bias and mean square error of the modified estimator were obtained up to the second-order approximation, which satisfies the necessary conditions for efficiency. The findings show that the new estimator surpasses existing estimators in efficiency gain. This suggests the appropriateness of calibration weight modification in boosting the efficiency of a population parameter estimator under stratified random sampling especially where the population parameter of the auxiliary variable …

Nonparametric Tests For Replicated Latin Squares, Joseph Yang

Dissertations

Two classes of nonparametric procedures for a replicated Latin square design that test for both general and increasing alternatives are developed. The two classes of procedures are similar in the sense that both transform the data so that existing well-known tests for randomized complete block designs can be utilized. On the other hand, the two classes differ in the way that the data is transformed - one class essentially aggregates the data while the other class aligns the data. Within these contexts, the exact distributions and asymptotic distributions are discussed, when applicable. The exact distributions are easily computed using the …