A comparison of regression models for ordinal data in an analysis of transplanted-kidney function

Three regression models for ordinal data, those of Fienberg, McCullagh, and Anderson, are applied to an analysis of kidney function among transplant recipients. The conclusions arising from each model are presented and contrasted.     

Tests for the multivariate two-sample problem based on empirical probability measures

Nonparametric tests are proposed for the equality of two unknown p-variate distributions. Empirical probability measures are defined from samples from the two distributions and used to construct test statistics as the supremum of the absolute differences between empirical probabilities, the supremum being taken over all possible events. The test statistics are truly multivariate in not requiring the artificial ranking of multivariate observations, and they are distribution-free in the general p-variate case. Asymptotic null distributions are obtained. Powers of the proposed tests and a competitor are examined by Monte Carlo techniques.     

Eliciting and Classifying Concerns: A Methodological Critique

Two methodological steps in the study of peoples'concerns are elicitation and classification. Elicitation of concerns through analytical methods such as surveys can be supplemented with techniques that perform more diversively. We present two examples of how this can be accomplished: one in the expert community and one in the lay community. A classification taxonomy is a subjective choice of the researcher and it can only be evaluated against the stated objectives of the research. We present a classification schema that is explicitly oriented toward diagnosing the substantive needs of public discourses about risk decision making. To illustrate how concerns can be elicited in a social setting and how this classification tool can be applied, we report on a public participation exercise in New Jersey where citizens discussed the impacts of land application of sewage sludge at an experimental farm.     

ACCREDITATION: WHAT CONSTITUTES APPROPRIATE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY EDUCATION?*

This study compared the mail questionnaire responses of 132 training directors and 79 clinical members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). The findings about preferred criteria for accreditation, training requirements, and attitudes toward major professional issues suggested several key differences between training directors and clinical members, as well as important similarities. These divergent and convergent trends are described and discussed.