A general method of inference for two-parameter continuous distributions

Abstract

This article presents a general method of inference of the parameters of a continuous distribution with two unknown parameters. Except in a few distributions such as the normal distribution, the classical approach fails in this context to provide accurate inferences with small samples.Therefore, by taking the generalized approach to inference (cf. Weerahandi, 1995 Weerahandi, S. (1995). Exact Statistical Methods for Data Analysis. New York: Springer Verlag. [Google Scholar]), in this article we present a general method of inference to tackle practically useful two-parameter distributions such as the gamma distribution as well as distributions of theoretical interest such as the two-parameter uniform distribution. The proposed methods are exact in the sense that they are based on exact probability statements and exact expected values. The advantage of taking the generalized approach over the classical approximate inferences is shown via simulation studies.

This article has the potential to motivate much needed further research in non normal regressions, multiparameter problems, and multivariate problems for which basically there are only large sample inferences available. The approach that we take should pave the way for researchers to solve a variety of non normal problems, including ANOVA and MANOVA problems, where even the Bayesian approach fails. In the context of testing of hypotheses, the proposed method provides a superior alternative to the classical generalized likelihood ratio method.     

LEAVING THE CONSULTING ROOM TO PROVOKE ENACTMENT IN MARITAL THERAPY*

Enactment of emotionally intense, intimate behaviors is often important in marital therapy. But clients' concerns for privacy and their dependence on the therapist as a facilitator of communication can deter them from exhibiting such behavior in the therapist's presence. By walking out of the consulting room, the therapist can stimulate the enactment that would have been inhibited otherwise. Three case examples illustrate the technique. Specific points of procedure are considered, and the technique's limitations and risks are noted.     

A longitudinal analysis of stress among incoming college freshmen

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: (1) examine changes in stress during first semester among freshmen undergraduates and (2) identify predictors of stress (coping strategies, emotional states, and quality of sleep). Participants: One hundred ninety-seven freshmen students were recruited for a 10-week study during first quarter (October–December, 2015). Methods: Students completed weekly self-report surveys on stress, coping strategies, emotions, and quality of sleep. A generalized linear mixed model was used for analyses. Results: Stress was elevated during examinations periods. Women reported a greater stress level than men. Increased stress level was significantly associated with lower sleep quality and greater negative emotions (fear, anger). Exercise was an effective stress coping strategy, while other coping methods (Internet usage, meditation, and self-isolation) were associated with higher stress. Social media usage did not influence stress level. Conclusions: Future stress management programs for freshmen need to consider gender differences and may focus on sleep, exercise, and decreased general Internet usage.     

An investigation into social media syndromic monitoring

Tweets offer us early information on initial stages of diseases, since people often tweet the early symptoms of feeling unwell prior to presenting to an emergency department if their symptoms become more severe. Even when people do present at an emergency department, it generally takes over 24 hours for their information to be collected, diagnosed and transferred for analysis at a centralized location. The advantage of utilizing tweets is that they offer information on syndromes in real-time. This paper investigates the value of carrying out multivariate syndromic surveillance using daily counts of keywords. The dynamic bi-plot is used to detect unexpected changes in the daily counts. These methods can be easily generalized to hourly tweet syndromic counts. By following Twitter users that suffer certain symptoms over time we can better understand the burden of these health issues and better understand emerging health issues. Monitoring people who present with symptoms but are just not sick enough to go to emergency departments provides us with additional information not gathered by emergency departments.     

Wellbeing and Society: Towards Quantification of the Co-benefits of Wellbeing

Social Indicators Research - The objectives of this paper are twofold. First, it reviews the empirical evidence showing the existence of linkage between wellbeing and possible co-benefits,...     

Editorial

The Analysis of Verbal Behavior -     

Closeness,loneliness, support: Core ties and significant ties in personal communities

Past research has introduced further distinctions within the strong ties that form our personal communities. This work aimed at a comparison between core and significant ties in terms of their emotional closeness to ego, the social provisions that are exchanged, the relationship maintenance behaviours reported, and ego's loneliness. Measures for all these variables were assessed in a survey study. Evidence for a trade-off between the number of ties and their level of intimacy was obtained such that having more core ties was associated with lower levels of intimacy. Distinct signatures for friends from both sets of ties emerged for friendship maintenance behaviours and social provisions exchanged. Further, social and emotional loneliness were differentially related to the number and the intimacy of core and significant ties.     

THE EFFECTS OF PERCEIVED AND ACTUAL FINANCIAL LITERACY ON FINANCIAL BEHAVIORS

A combined measure of financial literacy that includes both a test score of actual financial literacy and a self‐rating of overall financial literacy is used in this study. We find that the combined measure appears to provide greater understanding about how financial literacy affects financial behaviors. A large national survey of U.S. adults and households (n = 28,146) was used to investigate how this overall financial literacy is likely to change financial behaviors across five financial topics: credit cards, investments, loans, insurance, and financial advice. For each topic, we include 4–5 financial behaviors (22 in total) to demonstrate the consistency of the findings within and across topics. Although we are unable to identify a causal relationship, the results from the probit analysis show that both actual and perceived financial literacy appear to influence financial behaviors and that perceived financial literacy may be as important as actual financial literacy. (JEL D14, G00)