Finite Population Variance Estimation Under LSS with Multiple Random Starts

In this article, an unbiased estimator for finite population variance is developed under linear systematic sampling with two random starts and an explicit expression for its variance is also obtained. The study is supported by two real life situations. A detailed numerical comparative study has been carried out to compare its average variance with the average variance of the conventional unbiased estimator for finite population variance under simple random sampling for a wide variety of populations. Results based on the study strongly favor the use of the developed estimator for such populations.     

On C pk Assessment in the Presence of Tool Wear

Process capability indices are routinely used in manufacturing industries for process monitoring. A basic assumption while using process capability indices is that there are no assignable causes of variation present. However, when variation due to an assignable cause is present and is tolerated, the conventional methods of capability measurement become inaccurate. In this article, we suggest an estimate of C_pk assuming that the process capability changes dynamically. We obtain an exact form of the sampling distribution in the presence of a systematic assignable cause. We discuss the problem of testing whether a given process is capable. The critical values for different sample sizes are obtained based on the sampling distribution. An example involving tool wear problem is presented.     

Grey Predictive Process Control Charts

The present article intends to develop some imputation methods to reduce the impact of non response at both the occasions in two-occasion successive (rotation) sampling. Utilizing the auxiliary information, which is only available at the current occasion, estimators have been proposed for estimating the population mean at the current occasion. Estimators for the current occasion are also derived as a particular case when there is non response either on the first occasion or second occasion. Behaviors of the proposed estimators are studied and their respective optimum replacement policies are also discussed. To study the effectiveness of the suggested imputation methods, performances of the proposed estimators are compared in two different situations, with and without non response. The results obtained are demonstrated with the help of empirical studies.     

Reviews

Abstract

Elizabeth Parang reviews Reengineering the Library: Issues in Electronic Resources Management. Scott Johnson reviews Academic Library Management: Case Studies.     

An Audit of Literature Reviews Published in Australian Social Work (2007–2017)

ABSTRACT

This study examined the nature of literature reviews published in Australian Social Work between 2007 and 2017. An audit was conducted to determine the number of reviews; types of reviews (systematic, meta-analysis, metasynthesis, scoping, narrative, conceptual, critical); and elements that were commonly reported (based on items drawn from the PRISMA checklist) including quality appraisal. A total of 21 reviews were identified. Results showed the overall number of reviews published remained relatively consistent across the decade. In relation to review types, systematic and scoping reviews appeared with greater frequency in more recent years. Most reviews reported significant proportions of the elements consistent with the type of review undertaken, although a minority did not report the search strategies and only one review included a quality appraisal. In conclusion, the reviews published over the last decade provide a strong foundation upon which further advances in the diversity and quality of reviews can be built.

IMPLICATIONS

• Literature reviews are an indispensable tool for accessing knowledge to inform social work practice.

• This first audit of literature reviews in Australian Social Work found a growing sophistication in the reviews published over the past decade.

• Continued improvements in the design, conduct, and reporting of literature reviews will be an invaluable resource in equipping the profession to respond successfully to the growing complexity of demands placed on social work practice in the 21st century.

     

实践法学思维的三个层面

从词源学与法学自身的发展史看,法学的实践性面向不容否认。导向于实践的法学思维可被称为实践法学思维,它可以分作三个层面。在哲学层面上,实践法学思维的理论渊源可以追溯到实践哲学本身,它的内部又包含着两支传统。在法哲学层面上,这种思维主要探讨两个论题,即正当性与科学性,前者追问法律作为行动理由的正当性基础何在,后者则回答法学是否具有科学知识的属性。在法学方法论的层面上,实践法学思维通过不同方法来追求合理性与理性这两种不同的目标。因此,实践法学思维呈现一种三层面上的二维结构。     

Star-Type Systematic Sampling Schemes for Finite Populations

Two new sampling schemes namely, Star-Type Systematic (STS) sampling without replacement and Modified Star-Type Systematic (MSTS) sampling without replacement for estimation of finite population means are introduced. The relative performances of the proposed star-type systematic sample means along with those of the simple random and systematic sample means are assessed for a hypothetical population with a linear trend and also for certain natural populations. Furthermore, the usefulness of the proposed sampling schemes in quality control and for constructing partial diallel crosses in mating designs are briefly break discussed.     

Beta系数跨期时变与公司估值

从理论上剖析Beta系数跨期时变、时间要素设定差异对系统性风险度量及公司估值结果的影响,并以2005年1月1日至2014年12月31日为样本周期,以有色、钢铁、石化、房地产、银行等5个周期性行业板块收益率及市场平均收益率的周数据和月数据为研究样本,对理论分析结论进行实证检验。研究发现：（1）时间要素设定差异会显著影响Beta系数稳定性;（2）时间要素设定差异对系统性风险度量及公司估值结果影响显著;（3）审慎设定时间要素,有利于提高Beta系数稳定性,同时降低系统性风险度量及公司估值误差。其中,“5～10年”是更为可取的Beta系数估计时段,并应优先选择以“周”为单位的收益率度量时限,其次是以“月”为单位。     

环境困境与文化审思——文化生态视域下藏族生态民俗文化溯析

人类在现代化过程中,片面追求经济增长,目光局限于物质形态,而忽略了历史文化、人文精神内容,从而导致文化生态的失衡.通过梳理藏族生态民俗和生活禁忌文化,把人与自然和谐发展放在文明转型和价值重铸的大背景中加以论述.藏族丰富的生态民俗文化在人类社会“可持续发展”中提供了一套可供参照和借鉴的价值体系,吁请人们走出狭隘的“人类中心主义”,重新审视人与自然的关系,反思人类对自然的态度和行为.     

The surprisingly weak evidence base for supervision: Findings from a systematic review of research in child welfare practice (2000–2012)

Objective

The objective of this study is to ascertain what is known about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of supervision in child welfare in relation to outcomes for consumers/service users, staff and organizations.

Method

This is a systematic review of the English language literature (2000–2012). Scoping study is followed by database searches of indexes and abstracts including Campbell Collaboration, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Medline, PsycInfo and Social Work Abstracts, journal hosts (EBSCO and IngentaConnect) plus specialist journals. Inclusion criteria: studies that reported on the associations between the provision of supervision and outcomes for service users/consumers, workers and organizations as well as intervention studies. Potentially relevant studies were independently screened by two reviewers (Stage 1) and if meeting the eligibility criteria proceed to full text review and data extraction (Stage 2). Studies were subject to critical appraisal by three reviewers using the Weight of Evidence approach (Stage 3). An analysis of included study characteristics is followed by a narrative synthesis of findings structured to answer the research objective.

Results

690 unique studies were identified at Stage 1, 35 proceeded to Stage 2 and, following quality appraisal, 21 were included in the review. Almost all of the studies were cross-sectional, providing evidence of associations between the provision of supervision and a variety of outcomes for workers, including job satisfaction, self-efficacy and stress and for organizations, including workload management, case analysis and retention. There was only one, poorly reported, intervention study and no studies of outcomes for consumers. No economic evaluations were found.

Conclusions

The evidence base for the effectiveness of supervision in child welfare is surprisingly weak. An agenda for research based on a framework for the development and evaluation of complex interventions is proposed.