A longitudinal study of student performance in English using repeated measures, multilevel and logistic regression models

This paper presents three statistical models that analyze longitudinal data on student performance in English. A random sample, comprising male and female students who attend either a state or a private school, was selected to investigate gender and school bias in this subject. The English annual marks attained by each student were recorded during the last three years in primary schools. In the first approach, we present a repeated measures analysis of variance that captures the correlation between the repeated measures. Several tests are carried out to check for within subjects and between subjects effects; equality of covariance matrices and sphericity. In the second approach, we fit a two-level random coefficient model to examine the effect of time on student performance in English. This model allows the student-specific coefficients describing individual trajectories to vary randomly. In the third approach, we fit a Logistic regression model to estimate the probability of passing the Eleven-Plus examination that students sit for when they terminate Primary education.peer-reviewe

Applied statistics: A review

The main phases of applied statistical work are discussed in general terms. The account starts with the clarification of objectives and proceeds through study design, measurement and analysis to interpretation. An attempt is made to extract some general notions.Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/07-AOAS113 in the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Factors affecting the ratio of currency demand to total monetary assets in Malta

There are a number of factors influencing individuals` and firms decisions to hold currency rather than other forms of monetary assets. An important motive is to buy consumer goods and services in the case of individuals, and to pay wages and salaries and other short term business expenses in the case of firms. This can be loosely be called the “transactions” motive. Another reason, loosely termed here as the “asset” motive, is related to changes in the rate of interest. In macroeconomic theory, we also encounter the “speculative” motive which is related to expected, rather than actual changes in interest rates. Another reason, which is of some importance in the Maltese economy, is to conceal economic activity for tax evasion. Thus underground activity covers production which is not, but should be, included in the computation of GDP. The purpose of this paper is to propose a model which associates currency demand with the underground economy and which quantitatively estimates the elasticities associated with currency demand. An attempt will be made also to estimate the size off the underground economy in Malta.peer-reviewe

Comment: The Need for Syncretism in Applied Statistics

Comment on "The Need for Syncretism in Applied Statistics" [arXiv:1012.1161]Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/10-STS308A the Statistical Science (http://www.imstat.org/sts/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org