Statistical Methods for Modeling Human Dynamics


Book Description

This interdisciplinary volume features contributions from researchers in the fields of psychology, neuroscience, statistics, computer science, and physics. State-of-the-art techniques and applications used to analyze data obtained from studies in cognition, emotion, and electrophysiology are reviewed along with techniques for modeling in real time and for examining lifespan cognitive changes, for conceptualizing change using item response, nonparametric and hierarchical models, and control theory-inspired techniques for deriving diagnoses in medical and psychotherapeutic settings. The syntax for running the analyses presented in the book is provided on the Psychology Press site. Most of the programs are written in R while others are for Matlab, SAS, Win-BUGS, and DyFA. Readers will appreciate a review of the latest methodological techniques developed in the last few years. Highlights include an examination of: Statistical and mathematical modeling techniques for the analysis of brain imaging such as EEGs, fMRIs, and other neuroscience data Dynamic modeling techniques for intensive repeated measurement data Panel modeling techniques for fewer time points data State-space modeling techniques for psychological data Techniques used to analyze reaction time data. Each chapter features an introductory overview of the techniques needed to understand the chapter, a summary, and numerous examples. Each self-contained chapter can be read on its own and in any order. Divided into three major sections, the book examines techniques for examining within-person derivations in change patterns, intra-individual change, and inter-individual differences in change and interpersonal dynamics. Intended for advanced students and researchers, this book will appeal to those interested in applying state-of-the-art dynamic modeling techniques to the the study of neurological, developmental, cognitive, and social/personality psychology, as well as neuroscience, computer science, and engineering.




Statistical Methods for Modeling Human Dynamics


Book Description

This interdisciplinary volume features contributions from researchers in the fields of psychology, neuroscience, statistics, computer science, and physics. State-of-the-art techniques and applications used to analyze data obtained from studies in cognition, emotion, and electrophysiology are reviewed along with techniques for modeling in real time and for examining lifespan cognitive changes, for conceptualizing change using item response, nonparametric and hierarchical models, and control theory-inspired techniques for deriving diagnoses in medical and psychotherapeutic settings. The syntax for running the analyses presented in the book is provided on the Psychology Press site. Most of the programs are written in R while others are for Matlab, SAS, Win-BUGS, and DyFA. Readers will appreciate a review of the latest methodological techniques developed in the last few years. Highlights include an examination of: Statistical and mathematical modeling techniques for the analysis of brain imaging such as EEGs, fMRIs, and other neuroscience data Dynamic modeling techniques for intensive repeated measurement data Panel modeling techniques for fewer time points data State-space modeling techniques for psychological data Techniques used to analyze reaction time data. Each chapter features an introductory overview of the techniques needed to understand the chapter, a summary, and numerous examples. Each self-contained chapter can be read on its own and in any order. Divided into three major sections, the book examines techniques for examining within-person derivations in change patterns, intra-individual change, and inter-individual differences in change and interpersonal dynamics. Intended for advanced students and researchers, this book will appeal to those interested in applying state-of-the-art dynamic modeling techniques to the the study of neurological, developmental, cognitive, and social/personality psychology, as well as neuroscience, computer science, and engineering.




Continuous Time Modeling in the Behavioral and Related Sciences


Book Description

This unique book provides an overview of continuous time modeling in the behavioral and related sciences. It argues that the use of discrete time models for processes that are in fact evolving in continuous time produces problems that make their application in practice highly questionable. One main issue is the dependence of discrete time parameter estimates on the chosen time interval, which leads to incomparability of results across different observation intervals. Continuous time modeling by means of differential equations offers a powerful approach for studying dynamic phenomena, yet the use of this approach in the behavioral and related sciences such as psychology, sociology, economics and medicine, is still rare. This is unfortunate, because in these fields often only a few discrete time (sampled) observations are available for analysis (e.g., daily, weekly, yearly, etc.). However, as emphasized by Rex Bergstrom, the pioneer of continuous-time modeling in econometrics, neither human beings nor the economy cease to exist in between observations. In 16 chapters, the book addresses a vast range of topics in continuous time modeling, from approaches that closely mimic traditional linear discrete time models to highly nonlinear state space modeling techniques. Each chapter describes the type of research questions and data that the approach is most suitable for, provides detailed statistical explanations of the models, and includes one or more applied examples. To allow readers to implement the various techniques directly, accompanying computer code is made available online. The book is intended as a reference work for students and scientists working with longitudinal data who have a Master's- or early PhD-level knowledge of statistics.




Statistical Modeling for Naturalists


Book Description

This book will allow naturalists, nature stewards, and graduate students to appreciate and comprehend basic statistical concepts as a bridge to more complex themes relevant to their daily work. Although there are excellent sources on more specialized analytical topics relevant to naturalists, this introductory book makes a connection with the experience and needs of field practitioners. It uses aspects of the natural history of the Florida scrub relevant for conservation and management as examples of analytical issues pertinent to the naturalist in a broader context. Each chapter identifies important ecological questions and then provides approaches to evaluate data, focusing on the analytical decision-making process. The book guides the reader on frequently overlooked aspects such as the understanding of model assumptions, alternative model specifications, model output interpretation, and model limitations.




The Oxford Handbook of Quantitative Methods, Vol. 2: Statistical Analysis


Book Description

Research today demands the application of sophisticated and powerful research tools. Fulfilling this need, The Oxford Handbook of Quantitative Methods is the complete tool box to deliver the most valid and generalizable answers to todays complex research questions. It is a one-stop source for learning and reviewing current best-practices in quantitative methods as practiced in the social, behavioral, and educational sciences. Comprising two volumes, this handbook covers a wealth of topics related to quantitative research methods. It begins with essential philosophical and ethical issues related to science and quantitative research. It then addresses core measurement topics before delving into the design of studies. Principal issues related to modern estimation and mathematical modeling are also detailed. Topics in the handbook then segway into the realm of statistical inference and modeling with chapters dedicated to classical approaches as well as modern latent variable approaches. Numerous chapters associated with longitudinal data and more specialized techniques round out this broad selection of topics. Comprehensive, authoritative, and user-friendly, this two-volume set will be an indispensable resource for serious researchers across the social, behavioral, and educational sciences.




Longitudinal Multivariate Psychology


Book Description

This volume presents a collection of chapters focused on the study of multivariate change. As people develop and change, multivariate measurement of that change and analysis of those measures can illuminate the regularities in the trajectories of individual development, as well as time-dependent changes in population averages. As longitudinal data have recently become much more prevalent in psychology and the social sciences, models of change have become increasingly important. This collection focuses on methodological, statistical, and modeling aspects of multivariate change and applications of longitudinal models to the study of psychological processes. The volume is divided into three major sections: Extension of latent change models, Measurement and testing issues in longitudinal modeling, and Novel applications of multivariate longitudinal methodology. It is intended for advanced students and researchers interested in learning about state-of-the-art techniques for longitudinal data analysis, as well as understanding the history and development of such techniques.




Research Awards Index


Book Description







Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases


Book Description

Features modern research and methodology on the spread of infectious diseases and showcases a broad range of multi-disciplinary and state-of-the-art techniques on geo-simulation, geo-visualization, remote sensing, metapopulation modeling, cloud computing, and pattern analysis Given the ongoing risk of infectious diseases worldwide, it is crucial to develop appropriate analysis methods, models, and tools to assess and predict the spread of disease and evaluate the risk. Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases features mathematical and spatial modeling approaches that integrate applications from various fields such as geo-computation and simulation, spatial analytics, mathematics, statistics, epidemiology, and health policy. In addition, the book captures the latest advances in the use of geographic information system (GIS), global positioning system (GPS), and other location-based technologies in the spatial and temporal study of infectious diseases. Highlighting the current practices and methodology via various infectious disease studies, Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases features: Approaches to better use infectious disease data collected from various sources for analysis and modeling purposes Examples of disease spreading dynamics, including West Nile virus, bird flu, Lyme disease, pandemic influenza (H1N1), and schistosomiasis Modern techniques such as Smartphone use in spatio-temporal usage data, cloud computing-enabled cluster detection, and communicable disease geo-simulation based on human mobility An overview of different mathematical, statistical, spatial modeling, and geo-simulation techniques Analyzing and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Infectious Diseases is an excellent resource for researchers and scientists who use, manage, or analyze infectious disease data, need to learn various traditional and advanced analytical methods and modeling techniques, and become aware of different issues and challenges related to infectious disease modeling and simulation. The book is also a useful textbook and/or supplement for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level courses in bioinformatics, biostatistics, public health and policy, and epidemiology.




Analytical Methods for Dynamic Modelers


Book Description

A user-friendly introduction to some of the most useful analytical tools for model building, estimation, and analysis, presenting key methods and examples. Simulation modeling is increasingly integrated into research and policy analysis of complex sociotechnical systems in a variety of domains. Model-based analysis and policy design inform a range of applications in fields from economics to engineering to health care. This book offers a hands-on introduction to key analytical methods for dynamic modeling. Bringing together tools and methodologies from fields as diverse as computational statistics, econometrics, and operations research in a single text, the book can be used for graduate-level courses and as a reference for dynamic modelers who want to expand their methodological toolbox. The focus is on quantitative techniques for use by dynamic modelers during model construction and analysis, and the material presented is accessible to readers with a background in college-level calculus and statistics. Each chapter describes a key method, presenting an introduction that emphasizes the basic intuition behind each method, tutorial style examples, references to key literature, and exercises. The chapter authors are all experts in the tools and methods they present. The book covers estimation of model parameters using quantitative data; understanding the links between model structure and its behavior; and decision support and optimization. An online appendix offers computer code for applications, models, and solutions to exercises. Contributors Wenyi An, Edward G. Anderson Jr., Yaman Barlas, Nishesh Chalise, Robert Eberlein, Hamed Ghoddusi, Winfried Grassmann, Peter S. Hovmand, Mohammad S. Jalali, Nitin Joglekar, David Keith, Juxin Liu, Erling Moxnes, Rogelio Oliva, Nathaniel D. Osgood, Hazhir Rahmandad, Raymond Spiteri, John Sterman, Jeroen Struben, Burcu Tan, Karen Yee, Gönenç Yücel