THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION: TESTING THE WEBER HYPOTHESIS IN THE GERMAN LANDS

Following Max Weber, many theories have hypothesized that Protestantism should have favored economic development. With its religious heterogeneity, the Holy Roman Empire presents an ideal testing ground for this hypothesis. Using population figures of 272 cities in the years 1300–1900, I find no effects of Protestantism on economic growth. The finding is precisely estimated, robust to the inclusion of various controls, and does not depend on data selection or small sample size. Denominational differences in fertility behavior and literacy are unlikely to be major confounding factors. Protestantism has no effect when interacted with other likely determinants of economic development. Instrumental variables estimates, considering the potential endogeneity of religious choice, are similar to the OLS results.     

CORRELATIONS AND CHARACTERIZATIONS OF THE UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION

Two characterizations of the uniform distribution on a suitable compact space are proved. These characterizations are applied to a number of particular examples of which the most interesting is the following: if X , Y and Z are independent n-vectors whose components are independent and identically distributed within a vector, then the pairwise independence of the product moment correlation coefficients between X , Y and Z implies that these vectors are normally distributed.     

论艾森斯塔特阐释多元现代性的逻辑

艾森斯塔特通过对自马克思及韦伯以来的社会进化理论的质疑和批判，对纷繁复杂的现代性历史的反思，采用比较历史（文明比较）的研究方法考察了现代性从起源、传播到成型的动态变化过程和发展方向，揭示了现代性沿着多样性特征展开的逻辑。他认为理解当代世界最好的方法是将它视为文化方案多样性不断解释、选择、重释、构建和重构的一个过程。理解现代性多样性的特征对于认识当今世界及其发展方向、认识具体社会的特殊现实，在理论和实践上都具有深远的意义。     

GOODNESS OF FIT FOR THE BINOMIAL DISTRIBUTION

Goodness of fit testing for the binomial distribution can be carried out using Pearson's X²_p statistic and its components. Applications of this technique are considered and compared with recently suggested empirical distribution function tests. Diagnostic use of components is discussed.     

Perturbation analysis for an orthogonal least-squares estimator

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are used to check the geometric integrity of component parts. The geometric constraints to which a part must conform, as defined e.g., by The American National Standards Institute, assume the use of some type of gauging system when inspecting the part. Statistical issues arise in interpretting CMM data in the inspection of part tolerances. We consider a set of n planar regions on the surface of a part. The unit vector normal to each plane is estimated by orthogonal least squares. The small-sample density of this estimator (on the unit sphere S²) is determined asymptotically as the variance of the CMM error approaches 0. To a first-degree approximation, this density is Fisher-von Mises. Diagnostics are reviewed to test the geometric constraint that the n planar regions are oriented correctly with respect to one another, and to test the flatness of planar regions.     

国外保险业效率研究概况及启示

基于效率研究对保险业经营者和监管者的应用重要性,本文对国外保险业效率研究的理论基础、主要方法、及其重要结论作了较详细的论述。并在此基础上概括出了如下启示:(1)效率研究不仅是理论界所关心的问题,更是监管当局与实务界引起高度重视的问题;(2)效率研究拓宽了对我国保险业研究的思路及方法。(3)效率研究作为一项综合性的考核指标,不但可以用于监管当局对各保险机构的评价,还可以为保险业管理者考核和完善内部管理水平提供评价依据。     

ON THE USE OF X2 AS A TEST OF INDEPENDENCE IN CONTINGENCY TABLES WITH SMALL CELL EXPECTATIONS

When an r×c contingency table has many cells having very small expectations, the usual χ² approximation to the upper tail of the Pearson χ² goodness-of-fit statistic becomes very conservative. The alternatives considered in this paper are to use either a lognormal approximation, or to scale the usual χ² approximation. The study involves thousands of tables with various sample sizes, and with tables whose sizes range from 2×2 through 2×10×10. Subject to certain restrictions the new scaled χ² approximations are recommended for use with tables having an average cell expectation as small as 0·5.     

大学英语2＋2＋X教学模式的初步探索与实践

本文在学习了教学模式的定义和内容的基础上,讨论了大学英语教学模式及2+2+X这一新教学模式的由来及其内容,并以一次教学实验探讨并验证了新教学模式实施的可能性,从而为大规模实施这一教学模式提供了一些经验。如:科学利用多媒体;以主题内容安排教学活动;提问式是课堂互动的主要形式;结合效果检查培训学习策略。这一教学实验的不足之处在于没有能够对网络在线的教学活动进行探讨,因此未能对新教学模式中的X部分提出意见和评价。     

Possible causes of tax evasion

Only a limited number of empirical investigations, into possible causes of tax evasion, have been carried out. Most of these have been conducted since 1970 and they have been carried out in countries other than Australia. Much of the published research was reviewed lo develop a set of hypotheses which were then tested with Australian data. The results of those tests are reported in this article. It appears that several things might influence taxpayer's behaviour and in Australia, the exchange indicator could be one of the important influences.     

An evaluation case: The implementation and evaluation of a problem-solving training program for adolescents

This study recounts the implementation and evaluation of a problem-solving skills training program for adolescents. Sixty-six students from the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades of a local junior high school were identified by guidance counselors as needing problem-solving training—48 male and 18 female students between the ages of 11 and 16. The hypothesis that students included in the training sessions would demonstrate better problem-solving skills, a more internal locus of control, and a higher level of self-esteem than control group students was tested via a pretest-posttest Control Group Design. The results of a stepwise discriminant analysis of the data supported the hypothesis. An analysis of grade level differences indicated that the program had less effect on the seventh-grade training group. Implications for program modification and the limitations of the evaluation findings are discussed.