The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design


Book Description

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design maps out how one makes decisions about research design, interprets data, and draws valid inferences, undertakes research projects in an ethical manner, and evaluates experimental design strategies and results. From A-to-Z, this four-volume work covers the spectrum of research design strategies and topics including, among other things: fundamental research design principles, ethics in the research process, quantitative versus qualitative and mixed-method designs, completely randomized designs, multiple comparison tests, diagnosing agreement between data and models, fundamental assumptions in analysis of variance, factorial treatment designs, complete and incomplete block designs, Latin square and related designs, hierarchical designs, response surface designs, split-plot designs, repeated measures designs, crossover designs, analysis of covariance, statistical software packages, and much more. Research design, with its statistical underpinnings, can be especially daunting for students and novice researchers. At its heart, research design might be described simply as a formalized approach toward problem solving, thinking, and acquiring knowledge, the success of which depends upon clearly defined objectives and appropriate choice of statistical design and analysis to meet those objectives. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design will assist students and researchers with their work while providing vital information on research strategies.




Common Errors in Statistics


Book Description

A guide to choosing and using the right techniques High-speed computers and prepackaged statistical routines would seem to take much of the guesswork out of statistical analysis and lend its applications readily accessible to all. Yet, as Phillip Good and James Hardin persuasively argue, statistical software no more makes one a statistician than a scalpel makes one a surgeon. Choosing the proper technique and understanding the analytical context is of paramount importance to the proper application of statistics. The highly readable Common Errors in Statistics (and How to Avoid Them) provides both newly minted academics and professionals who use statistics in their work with a handy field guide to statistical problems and solutions. Good and Hardin begin their handbook by establishing a mathematically rigorous but readily accessible foundation for statistical procedures. They focus on debunking popular myths, analyzing common mistakes, and instructing readers on how to choose the appropriate statistical technique to address their specific task. A handy checklist is provided to summarize the necessary steps. Topics covered include: * Creating a research plan * Formulating a hypothesis * Specifying sample size * Checking assumptions * Interpreting p-values and confidence intervals * Building a model * Data mining * Bayes' Theorem, the bootstrap, and many others Common Errors in Statistics (and How to Avoid Them) also contains reprints of classic articles from statistical literature to re-examine such bedrock subjects as linear regression, the analysis of variance, maximum likelihood, meta-analysis, and the bootstrap. With a final emphasis on finding solutions and on the great value of statistics when applied in the proper context, this book will prove eminently useful to students and professionals in the fields of research, industry, medicine, and government.




Nonparametric Statistical Methods Using R


Book Description

Nonparametric Statistical Methods Using R covers customary nonparametric methods and rank-based examinations, including estimation and deduction for models running from straightforward area models to general direct and nonlinear models for uncorrelated and corresponded reactions. The creators underscore applications and measurable calculation. They represent the methods with numerous genuine and mimicked information cases utilizing R, including the bundles Rfit and npsm. The book initially gives a diagram of the R dialect and essential factual ideas previously examining nonparametrics. It presents rank-based methods for one-and two-example issues, strategies for relapse models, calculation for general settled impacts ANOVA and ANCOVA models, and time-to-occasion examinations. The last two parts cover further developed material, including high breakdown fits for general relapse models and rank-based surmising for bunch associated information. The book can be utilized as an essential content or supplement in a course on connected nonparametric or hearty strategies and as a source of perspective for scientists who need to execute nonparametric and rank-based methods by and by. Through various illustrations, it demonstrates to perusers proper methodologies to apply these methods utilizing R.




Permutation Tests for Complex Data


Book Description

Complex multivariate testing problems are frequently encountered in many scientific disciplines, such as engineering, medicine and the social sciences. As a result, modern statistics needs permutation testing for complex data with low sample size and many variables, especially in observational studies. The Authors give a general overview on permutation tests with a focus on recent theoretical advances within univariate and multivariate complex permutation testing problems, this book brings the reader completely up to date with today’s current thinking. Key Features: Examines the most up-to-date methodologies of univariate and multivariate permutation testing. Includes extensive software codes in MATLAB, R and SAS, featuring worked examples, and uses real case studies from both experimental and observational studies. Includes a standalone free software NPC Test Release 10 with a graphical interface which allows practitioners from every scientific field to easily implement almost all complex testing procedures included in the book. Presents and discusses solutions to the most important and frequently encountered real problems in multivariate analyses. A supplementary website containing all of the data sets examined in the book along with ready to use software codes. Together with a wide set of application cases, the Authors present a thorough theory of permutation testing both with formal description and proofs, and analysing real case studies. Practitioners and researchers, working in different scientific fields such as engineering, biostatistics, psychology or medicine will benefit from this book.




Inferential Models


Book Description

A New Approach to Sound Statistical ReasoningInferential Models: Reasoning with Uncertainty introduces the authors' recently developed approach to inference: the inferential model (IM) framework. This logical framework for exact probabilistic inference does not require the user to input prior information. The authors show how an IM produces meaning




Smooth Tests of Goodness of Fit


Book Description

In this fully revised and expanded edition of Smooth Tests of Goodness of Fit, the latest powerful techniques for assessing statistical and probabilistic models using this proven class of procedures are presented in a practical and easily accessible manner. Emphasis is placed on modern developments such as data-driven tests, diagnostic properties, and model selection techniques. Applicable to most statistical distributions, the methodology described in this book is optimal for deriving tests of fit for new distributions and complex probabilistic models, and is a standard against which new procedures should be compared. New features of the second edition include: Expansion of the methodology to cover virtually any statistical distribution, including exponential families Discussion and application of data-driven smooth tests Techniques for the selection of the best model for the data, with a guide to acceptable alternatives Numerous new, revised, and expanded examples, generated using R code Smooth Tests of Goodness of Fit is an invaluable resource for all methodological researchers as well as graduate students undertaking goodness-of-fit, statistical, and probabilistic model assessment courses. Practitioners wishing to make an informed choice of goodness-of-fit test will also find this book an indispensible guide. Reviews of the first edition: "This book gives a very readable account of the smooth tests of goodness of fit. The book can be read by scientists having only an introductory knowledge of statistics. It contains a fairly extensive list of references; research will find it helpful for the further development of smooth tests." --T.K. Chandra, Zentralblatt für Mathematik und ihre Grenzgebiete, Band 73, 1/92' "An excellent job of showing how smooth tests (a class of goodness of fit tests) are generally and easily applicable in assessing the validity of models involving statistical distributions....Highly recommended for undergraduate and graduate libraries." --Choice "The book can be read by scientists having only an introductory knowledge of statistics. It contains a fairly extensive list of references; researchers will find it helpful for the further development of smooth tests."--Mathematical Reviews "Very rich in examples . . . Should find its way to the desks of many statisticians." --Technometrics




Algorithmic Probability and Friends. Bayesian Prediction and Artificial Intelligence


Book Description

Algorithmic probability and friends: Proceedings of the Ray Solomonoff 85th memorial conference is a collection of original work and surveys. The Solomonoff 85th memorial conference was held at Monash University's Clayton campus in Melbourne, Australia as a tribute to pioneer, Ray Solomonoff (1926-2009), honouring his various pioneering works - most particularly, his revolutionary insight in the early 1960s that the universality of Universal Turing Machines (UTMs) could be used for universal Bayesian prediction and artificial intelligence (machine learning). This work continues to increasingly influence and under-pin statistics, econometrics, machine learning, data mining, inductive inference, search algorithms, data compression, theories of (general) intelligence and philosophy of science - and applications of these areas. Ray not only envisioned this as the path to genuine artificial intelligence, but also, still in the 1960s, anticipated stages of progress in machine intelligence which would ultimately lead to machines surpassing human intelligence. Ray warned of the need to anticipate and discuss the potential consequences - and dangers - sooner rather than later. Possibly foremostly, Ray Solomonoff was a fine, happy, frugal and adventurous human being of gentle resolve who managed to fund himself while electing to conduct so much of his paradigm-changing research outside of the university system. The volume contains 35 papers pertaining to the abovementioned topics in tribute to Ray Solomonoff and his legacy.




Robustness of Statistical Methods and Nonparametric Statistics


Book Description

This volume contains most of the invited and contributed papers presented at the Conference on Robustness of Statistical Methods and Nonparametric Statistics held in the castle oj'Schwerin, Mai 29 - June 4 1983. This conference was organized by the Mathematical Society of the GDR in cooperation with the Society of Physical and Mathematical Biology of the GDR, the GDR-Region of the International Biometric Society and the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of the GDR. All papers included were thoroughly reviewed by scientist listed under the heading "Editorial Collabora tories·'. Some contributions, we are sorry to report, were not recommended for publi cation by the rf'vif'wers and do not appear in these proceedings. The editors thank the reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. The conference was organizf'd bv a Programme Committee, its chairman was Prof. Dr. Dieter Rasch (Research Centre of Animal Production, Dummerstorf-Rostock). The members of the Programme Committee were Prof. Dr., Johannes Adam (Martin-Luther-University Halle) Prof. Dr. Heinz Ahrens (Academy of Sciences of the GDR, Berlin) Doz. Dr. Jana Jureckova (Charles University Praha) Prof. Dr. Moti Lal Tiku (McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario) The aim of the conference was to discuss several aspects of robustness but mainly to present new results regarding the robustness of classical statistical methods especially tests, confidence estimations, and selection procedures, and to compare their perfor mance with nonparametric procedures. Robustness in this sens~ is understood as intensivity against. violation of the normal assumption.




Exact Statistical Methods for Data Analysis


Book Description

Now available in paperback, this book covers some recent developments in statistical inference. It provides methods applicable in problems involving nuisance parameters such as those encountered in comparing two exponential distributions or in ANOVA without the assumption of equal error variances. The generalized procedures are shown to be more powerful in detecting significant experimental results and in avoiding misleading conclusions.