A simple two-step procedure using the Fellegi–Sunter model for frequency-based record linkage

The widely used Fellegi–Sunter model for probabilistic record linkage does not leverage information contained in field values and consequently leads to identical classification of match status regardless of whether records agree on rare or common values. Since agreement on rare values is less likely to occur by chance than agreement on common values, records agreeing on rare values are more likely to be matches. Existing frequency-based methods typically rely on knowledge of error probabilities associated with field values and frequencies of agreed field values among matches, often derived using prior studies or training data. When such information is unavailable, applications of these methods are challenging. In this paper, we propose a simple two-step procedure for frequency-based matching using the Fellegi–Sunter framework to overcome these challenges. Matching weights are adjusted based on frequency distributions of the agreed field values among matches and non-matches, estimated by the Fellegi–Sunter model without relying on prior studies or training data. Through a real-world application and simulation, our method is found to produce comparable or better performance than the unadjusted method. Furthermore, frequency-based matching provides greater improvement in matching accuracy when using poorly discriminating fields with diminished benefit as the discriminating power of matching fields increases.     

The ratification of ILO Conventions and the provision of unemployment benefits: An empirical analysis

This article tests the relationship between the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions and the provision of unemployment benefits. Statistical tests focus on two related issues: why countries ratify ILO Conventions on unemployment benefits, and whether ratification influences government spending on unemployment benefits. The main findings are that democracy, region, income, and globalization are the main factors influencing why countries ratify ILO Conventions on unemployment benefits. In turn, the ratification of ILO Conventions is systematically associated with higher spending if countries have ratified more than two Conventions.     

Semantic Analysis of the Theoretical Foundations of Biology

生物学理论作为科学哲学研究中的一个另类一直受到关注。它与传统科学模式间的差异是造成这种现象的原因之一。解读这种差异的根源,需要对生物学的理论基础以及理论结构给予充分的关注。生物学特有理论结构所表现出的多元语境与语义结构的复杂性,决定了对生物学理论基础的研究应当重视语义分析的方法,尤其是对理论本身进行语义分解并研究其中的语义关联问题,从而解读生物学模式作为一种不同于理化科学的特殊科学解释观的合理性。     

Intersubjectivity: Towards a Dialogical Analysis

Intersubjectivity refers to the variety of possible relations between perspectives. It is indispensable for understanding human social behaviour. While theoretical work on intersubjectivity is relatively sophisticated, methodological approaches to studying intersubjectivity lag behind. Most methodologies assume that individuals are the unit of analysis. In order to research intersubjectivity, however, methodologies are needed that take relationships as the unit of analysis. The first aim of this article is to review existing methodologies for studying intersubjectivity. Four methodological approaches are reviewed: comparative self-report, observing behaviour, analysing talk and ethnographic engagement. The second aim of the article is to introduce and contribute to the development of a dialogical method of analysis. The dialogical approach enables the study of intersubjectivity at different levels, as both implicit and explicit, and both within and between individuals and groups. The article concludes with suggestions for using the proposed method for researching intersubjectivity both within individuals and between individuals and groups.     

中国社会发展水平综合评价研究

一、问题的提出自20世纪90年代以来,人类发展问题已成为当代社会人们研究的重大课题。诚然,人类社会是发展了,但发展的现实世界中还有许多不尽如人意之处。如经济发展了,却带来许多产品生产过剩的问题;人口平均寿命提高了,却又伴随着出现老龄人口的社会保障问题;经济发展的速度     

深圳股票市场成分指数的持续性分析

一、引言持续性分析(Duration Analysis)又称“生存分析”(Survival Analysis)或“风险性分析”(HazardAnalysis)。它是研究某一变量持续某种状态的时间长度的分析方法,已被广泛地应用于工程、医学和生物学等领域。70年代末,经济学家开始采用这种分析方法研究失业时间的持续性,     

甘肃省县域经济发展水平空间差异分析

甘肃省包括86个县区,受地理位置、气候条件、资源状况、经济基础各种因素的影响,各县区之间的经济发展水平差异显著但又有很多相似之处。为了定量揭示甘肃省县域经济发展水平在空间上的分布现状、差异以及相似性,笔者拟运用多元统计方法对甘肃省县域经济发展水平的空间差异分析     

陕西文化产业竞争力评价与分析

一、文化产业竞争力的定义国际竞争力评价权威机构WEF(世界经济论坛)和IMD(瑞士洛桑国际管理开发学院)认为:竞争力是指一个国家的企业和企业家设计、生产、销售产品和劳务的能力,其产品或劳务的价格和质量比竞争对手具有更大的市场吸引力,是企业家在适应、协调和驾驭外部环境的     

Using unlabelled data to update classification rules with applications in food authenticity studies

Summary.  An authentic food is one that is what it purports to be. Food processors and consumers need to be assured that, when they pay for a specific product or ingredient, they are receiving exactly what they pay for. Classification methods are an important tool in food authenticity studies where they are used to assign food samples of unknown type to known types. A classification method is developed where the classification rule is estimated by using both the labelled and the unlabelled data, in contrast with many classical methods which use only the labelled data for estimation. This methodology models the data as arising from a Gaussian mixture model with parsimonious covariance structure, as is done in model-based clustering. A missing data formulation of the mixture model is used and the models are fitted by using the EM and classification EM algorithms. The methods are applied to the analysis of spectra of food-stuffs recorded over the visible and near infra-red wavelength range in food authenticity studies. A comparison of the performance of model-based discriminant analysis and the method of classification proposed is given. The classification method proposed is shown to yield very good misclassification rates. The correct classification rate was observed to be as much as 15% higher than the correct classification rate for model-based discriminant analysis.