Parameter Estimation Algorithms for the Hyper-Gamma Distribution Class

Microcomputer-based algorithms for the estimation of the parameters shift, scale, initial and terminal shape of the hyper–Gamma distribution class are presented. They are based on the moment equations and on the logarithmic likelihood function (LLF) associated with the hyper-Gamma density. The maximum–likelihood approach is implemented by means of the derivative equations resulting from the LLF and, independently, by means of direct optimization of the LLF. Program options include estimation of (i) four parameters, (ii) three parameters (shift known), and (iii) two parameters (shift known, initial shape zero). A program diskette with user's guide will be made available upon request.     

Economic development and ecological equilibrium—A target conflict in modern industrial enterprises

The increased utilization of natural resources burdens the economic systems of the whole world. In order to stop, or at any rate to mitigate, the consequences of this development anti-pollution measures are necessary. Planned and realized standards are to a growing extent important for the formulation of strategies which influence the product concepts and production procedures as well as locational decisions of companies. The conflict between economic development and ecological balance can only be solved if the social groups reach a consensus on the priorities of the tasks to be accomplished.     

A quick and easy approximation to the distribution of a sum of weighted chi-square variables

Various statistical inferences related to chi-square tests lead to the problem of evaluating the probability of a weighted sum of chi-square variables. Tables are available only for some special cases and the computation of the exact probabilities is very complicated due to the well-known problems of numerical integration. This paper presents the theoretical approach of an approximation and an easily implementable algorithm.     

Woran erkennt man pseudowissenschaftliche Theorien und weshalb sie im Coaching problematisch sind – am Beispiel NLP

The paper presents general characteristics for pseudo-scientific theories and concepts. Quotes from the literature prove that Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) is a pseudo-scientific approach: (1) A scientific evaluation of the claimed exceptional effects is generally rejected by the NLP developers. (2) Technical quotations and terminology are associative, inaccurate and distort theories and methods of well-known scientists and can to a certain extent be regarded as constructed fake-knowledge. (3) Basic models such as the representation systems and especially the effectiveness of the methods cannot be confirmed by scientific studies and negative research results are concealed. Overall NLP can be regarded as a degenerative pseudo-scientific program. Doubts are appropriate whether it is possible to improve NLP in the future by methodically careful scientific research.     

Coaching und Wissenschaft – Geschichte einer schwierigen Beziehung

The contribution traces the history of coaching and its relationship to science. First-generation pioneers have based the development of their concepts on then current scientific foundations. Pronounced scientifically oriented approaches, such as the Evidence-Based Coaching, however, emerged only after the pioneering phase. In the second practitioners’ generation, following the pioneers the relationship to science is mostly declining. Here, the top 50 in the internet popular training programs differ between the U.S., UK and Germany. The article closes with a discussion of alternative possible developments of coaching in the future third generation and its relationship to science.     

TEACHING TOOLS: HOW IS INTRODUCTORY ECONOMICS TAUGHT IN AMERICA?

We describe the faculty, students, teaching methods, and assessment instruments used in 180 introductory economics classes taught by 122 different instructors at 53 different colleges and universities. Despite variation in class size and types of institution, both introductory macroeconomics and introductory microeconomics are taught predominantly as lecture courses, with the largest part of students' course grades determined by performance on multiple-choice question tests. There seems to be little experimentation with alternative pedagogies or assessment techniques despite an in-creasing amount of attention to these issues in recent years.     

Prägen Persönlichkeitseigenschaften Einstellungen zu Parteien?

Since the sixties the influence of personality traits on intentions to vote (for different political parties) and on the voting decision itself has scarcely been investigated. It seems very promising to take up this tradition again. This paper summarizes the author’s most important findings of the last ten years of research in this area. The results of several studies indicate that attitudes towards specific parties (and voting intentions) are correlated with personality traits in a characteristic way and with a remarkable degree of diachronical stability. In this context the variables “Openness”, “Conscientiousness” and “Agreeableness”, known from the “Five-Factor Model” (or Big-Five Model) of personality traits, are of great importance. Since 1989 similar covariations also appeared repeatedly for “Affinity to a Stable Cognitive Frame of Orientation”, a more specific personality characteristic. Theoretically, strong direct correlations of “big” personality traits with much more “specific” attitudes (towards political parties) or voting intentions are not necessarily to be expected. For this reason the studies also dealt with — and supplied evidence for — intervening processes. Theoretically, these analyses were based on Fishbein’s attitude model and on Byrne’s attraction paradigm.