Asymptotics of Selective Inference

In this paper, we seek to establish asymptotic results for selective inference procedures removing the assumption of Gaussianity. The class of selection procedures we consider are determined by affine inequalities, which we refer to as affine selection procedures. Examples of affine selection procedures include selective inference along the solution path of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), as well as selective inference after fitting the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator at a fixed value of the regularization parameter. We also consider some tests in penalized generalized linear models. Our result proves asymptotic convergence in the high‐dimensional setting where n<p, and n can be of a logarithmic factor of the dimension p for some procedures.     

A general non-central hypergeometric distribution

We construct a general non-central hypergeometric distribution, which models biased sampling without replacement. Our distribution is constructed from the combined order statistics of two samples: one of independent and identically distributed random variables with absolutely continuous distribution F and the other of independent and identically distributed random variables with absolutely continuous distribution G. The distribution depends on F and G only through F○G^{( ? 1)} (F composed with the quantile function of G), and the standard hypergeometric distribution and Wallenius’ non-central hypergeometric distribution arise as special cases. We show in efficient economic markets the quantity traded has a general non-central hypergeometric distribution.     

Everyday Racial Discrimination,Everyday Non-Racial Discrimination,and Physical Health Among African-Americans

ABSTRACT

Past research has identified a link between discrimination and health outcomes among people of color. Perceptions of the cause of discrimination (racial versus other) seem to be important for mental health; however, this relationship has not been fully examined for physical health. Using data from the National Survey of American Life, we find that, among African-Americans, racial discrimination and overall discrimination regardless of attribution are associated with negative health outcomes while non-racial discrimination is not. The results suggest that racial discrimination has a unique adverse effect on physical health for African-Americans that practitioners need to better understand.     

Risky Business: Breastfeeding Promotion Policy and the Problem of Risk Language

Over the past decades, the rhetoric surrounding breastfeeding promotion policy has been increasingly focused on couching formula feeding in terms of “risk” rather than, as had been the norm, focusing on the “benefits” of breastfeeding. We examine this major policy shift in breastfeeding promotion and public health efforts. Analyzing qualitative data collected from 214 expectant mothers exposed to differently worded breastfeeding promotion materials, we identify several overwhelming trends in evaluations of the materials by those women exposed to “risk” language. These trends, we argue, point to strategic and normative reasons to reconsider this policy shift to the language of risk.     

High-Risk Sexual Behavior in Postmenopausal Women

Individuals who participate in sexual behavior indeed expose themselves to multiple risks, including social, emotional, and physical risks. Outcomes associated with risk behavior can have detrimental consequences on one’s interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, and overall health and well-being. This study examined how four factors (relational, decision-making, sexual variables, and safety) operate in a postmenopausal women’s decision to engage in risky sexual behavior. Data were collected online from 44 women, ranging in age from 34 to 68. Results indicate this model explains 62.6% of the variance in risky decision-making for postmenopausal women. Implications and directions for future research are addressed.     

Social work and digitalisation: bridging the knowledge gaps

The aim of this paper is to spark a discussion about how social work in England has responded to digitalisation thus far. It pays attention to relationality, the interaction between people and things and includes reference to the practice landscape, the places and spaces within which social work occurs. It calls for social work to revisit the idea of professionalism in the connected age, through outlining circumstances where practitioners have been called to account for online practices that have compromised public trust. These practice failings indicate that knowledge gaps, pertaining to digital literacies and technological competence in social work education and practice, exist. Therefore, the current requirements for learning and development, pre- and post-qualification, are appraised alongside the preliminary findings of a research project designed to examine the contribution of social work education to the digital socialisation of students in readiness for practice. The suggestion is made that social work should pause to consider ‘digital knowledge gaps’ before rushing to drive technology enhanced practice methods forward.     

A researcher's journey: Exploring a sensitive topic with vulnerable women

Background

The conduct of research regardless of the subject or methods employed brings responsibilities and challenges. These are greater when dealing with sensitive topics and vulnerable groups and therefore researchers must navigate a range of complex issues and make choices in relation to practical, ethical and philosophical concerns. While literature dealing with research methodologies and research design may assist to some degree, it cannot provide a clear pathway or template as each research project must respond to a unique set of circumstances. We can however, also learn from sharing our stories and critical reflections on our research processes.

How Parents Communicate Right and Wrong: A Study of Memorable Moral Messages Recalled by Emerging Adults

The family communication process through which emerging adults form their moral outlook is examined through the lenses of Negotiated Morality Theory and Vygotskian Developmental Theory. Analyses were performed on the context, content, and type of 470 memorable messages reported by 303 emerging adults. Results indicated that messages were spontaneously delivered rather than planned, communicated at home, and received at around 16 years of age. Messages most often concerned relational ethics, self-honoring, honesty/fraudulence, careless/harmful acts, and personal qualities. Eleven distinct forms of communication were used by parents, including forecasting the future, empathy-enhancing, virtue-prioritizing, commanding, and identity-making. As expected, the nature of the messages varied by the gender of the parent and the age of the child at the time of the message. Parental messages appear to be influential as young adults negotiate cultural, religious, and peer sources of morality. Implications for parents and moral educators are explored.