Influence of missing data on compact designs for spacing experiments

Density optimization of a plantation is a classical task with important practical consequences. In this article, we present an adaptation of criss-cross design and an alternative analysis. If a tree is missing, the spacing of neighbouring trees is altered and considerable information is lost. We derive the estimate of the missing value that minimizes the residual sum of squares and obtain the analytical solution of the EM algorithm. The relationships between the two techniques are clarified. The method is applied to data from a plantation of Eucalyptus in the Congo.     

Maximum likelihood procedure adapted to sampling schemes

This paper considers a maximum likelihood procedure for the data obtained by sampling surveys such as stratified sampling and two-stage sampling. We evaluate the variance of the estimators and the distribution of the log-likelihood ratio statistic.     

Accommodating Emotion and Affect in Political Discussions in Classrooms

Abstract

This article calls for greater attention to the role of emotion and affect in classroom discussions where theoretical models of discussion and deliberation tend to emphasize the rationalistic elements called for in such pedagogical strategies. Using two examples drawn from secondary classrooms, the authors highlight the role of emotion and affect in student exchanges about controversial public issues. Given the contemporary climate of national political discourse, being prepared for and accommodating these elements will be essential to taking up these strategies as a form of inquiry-oriented teaching and learning that seeks to address public issues with students across the curriculum.     

Empiricial Comparison between Some Model Selection Criteria

Model selection aims to find the best model. Most of the usual criteria are based on goodness of fit and parsimony and aim to maximize a transformed version of likelihood. The situation is less clear when two models are equivalent: are they close to the unknown true model or are they far from it? Based on simulations, we study the results of Vuong's test, Cox's test, AIC and BIC and the ability of these four tests to discriminate between models.     

Influence and sensitivity measures in correspondence analysis

Since correspondence analysis appears to be sensitive to outliers, it is important to be able to evaluate the sensitivity of the data on the results. This article deals with measuring the influence of rows and columns on the results obtained with correspondence analysis. To establish the influence of individuals on the analysis, we use the notion of influence curve and we propose a general criterion based on the mean square error to measure the sensitivity of the correspondence analysis and its robustness. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the notions developed in this article.     

The growth of the nonprofit sector in the 1980s: Facts and interpretation

The nonprofit sector was the growth sector of the 1980s. This is the conclusion reached from detailed examination of the growth trends of major industry groups in New York State in the years 1981 through 1987. The analysis in this article suggests that the growth of the nonprofit sector was due primarily to the strong orientation of the economy toward services, where the nonprofit sector has traditionally had an important presence. Within service industries as a whole, the nonprofit and for-profit sectors grew at comparable rates; however, nonprofit growth was concentrated in semipublic services and in services where information is often difficult for consumers to acquire and understand, while the for-profit sector grew in simpler and more privately oriented services. The analysis shows that the nonprofit sector filled much of the gap left by reduced or stagnating government services. However, the growth of the nonprofit sector may be difficult to sustain in the future if sufficient entrepreneurial talent and other resources are not forthcoming.     

Normative Family Development

Healthy, normal families pass through a sequentially developmental life cycle. Family therapists need a normative framework within which to test for dysfunction and pathology in family process. This paper provides an exposition of these developmental stages and forms, and therefore, hopefully some universal guidelines for the practice of family therapy.     

Personality and the enactment of emotion

The meaning of personality traits for social interaction was investigated by exploring the personality correlates of abilities to pose emotions. This framework focuses on individual differences in socio-emotional skills. Thirty one males and 37 females were videotaped while attempting to communicate seven basic emotions nonverbally (i.e., using standard content communications), and sending success was measured by showing edited videotapes to judges. Hypothesized relationships between acting ability and scores on the Jackson Personality Research Form and the Eysenck Personality Inventory were then examined. The findings were seen to have implications for predicting individual strengths and weaknesses in social interaction as a function of certain personality traits and for understanding person perception.This research was supported in part by NIMH Grant #RO3MH31453 and Intramural Research Grants from UC Riverside to Howard Friedman, and indirectly by the Biomedical Research Support Program of NIH (#RR077010-11). We would like to thank Louise M. Prince for her assistance.