6,411 research outputs found
A general multivariate latent growth model with applications in student careers Data warehouses
The evaluation of the formative process in the University system has been
assuming an ever increasing importance in the European countries. Within this
context the analysis of student performance and capabilities plays a
fundamental role. In this work we propose a multivariate latent growth model
for studying the performances of a cohort of students of the University of
Bologna. The model proposed is innovative since it is composed by: (1)
multivariate growth models that allow to capture the different dynamics of
student performance indicators over time and (2) a factor model that allows to
measure the general latent student capability. The flexibility of the model
proposed allows its applications in several fields such as socio-economic
settings in which personal behaviours are studied by using panel data.Comment: 20 page
A problem-structuring model for analyzing transportationâenvironment relationships
This is the post-print version of the final paper published in European Journal of Operational Research. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2009 Elsevier B.V.This study discusses a decision support framework that guides policy makers in their strategic transportation related decisions by using multi-methodology. For this purpose, a methodology for analyzing the effects of transportation policies on environment, society, economy, and energy is proposed. In the proposed methodology, a three-stage problem structuring model is developed. Initially, expertsâ opinions are structured by using a cognitive map to determine the relationships between transportation and environmental concepts. Then a structural equation model (SEM) is constructed, based on the cognitive map, to quantify the relations among external transportation and environmental factors. Finally the results of the SEM model are used to evaluate the consequences of possible policies via scenario analysis. In this paper a pilot study that covers only one module of the whole framework, namely transportationâenvironment interaction module, is conducted to present the applicability and usefulness of the methodology. This pilot study also reveals the impacts of transportation policies on the environment. To achieve a sustainable transportation system, the extent of the relationships between transportation and the environment must be considered. The World Development Indicators developed by the World Bank are used for this purpose
Estimation of individual genetic and environmental factor scores
Implicit in the application of the commonâfactor model as a method for decomposing trait covariance into a genetic and environmental part is the use of factor scores. In multivariate analyses, it is possible to estimate these factor scores for the communal part of the model. Estimation of scores on latent factors in terms of individual observations within the context of a twin/family study amounts to estimation of individual genetic and environmental scores. Such estimates may be of both theoretical and practical interest and may be provided with confidence intervals around the individual estimates. The method is first illustrated with simulated twin data and next is applied to blood pressure data obtained in a Dutch sample of 59 male adolescent twin pairs. Subjects with high blood pressure can be distinguished into groups with high genetic or high environmental scores. Copyright © 1990 WileyâLiss, Inc., A Wiley Compan
Using LISREL to analyze genetic and environmental covariance structure
Describes a method in which the linear structural relationships (LISREL) computer program is used for the genetic analysis of covariance structure. The method is illustrated with simulated and published twin data, including an analysis of twin data by N. G. Martin et al (1981) on psychomotor performance during alcohol intoxication
Professionalsâ Perceptions of and Approach to Parents with Intellectual Disability: A Question of Knowledge?
Research on the encounters and interaction between support professionals and parents with intellectual disability (ID) points to certain complications in their relationship, as viewed from either side. To better understand the professionalsâ perspective on their work with families where parents have ID, this exploratory study looks at the perceptions and experiences of 21 Swedish professionals in the field. The theory of social representations is used to analyse the results from one interview study and one focus group study. Representations of parenting among parents with ID were created by anchoring them in the professionalsâ own personal experiences, and then generalizing them through a process of objectification in which they were transferred as true knowledge to other situations involving other parents. The findings are discussed in relation to different working conditions and the nature and role of knowledge, referring to various theoretical points of departure in the understanding of disability and childrenâs needs
Characterizing the role of the preâSMA in the control of speed/accuracy tradeâoff with directed functional connectivity mapping and multiple solution reduction
Several plausible theories of the neural implementation of speed/accuracy tradeâoff (SAT), the phenomenon in which individuals may alternately emphasize speed or accuracy during the performance of cognitive tasks, have been proposed, and multiple lines of evidence point to the involvement of the preâsupplemental motor area (preâSMA). However, as the nature and directionality of the preâSMAâs functional connections to other regions involved in cognitive control and task processing are not known, its precise role in the topâdown control of SAT remains unclear. Although recent advances in crossâsectional path modeling provide a promising way of characterizing these connections, such models are limited by their tendency to produce multiple equivalent solutions. In a sample of healthy adults (Nâ=â18), the current study uses the novel approach of Group Iterative Multiple Model Estimation for Multiple Solutions (GIMMEâMS) to assess directed functional connections between the preâSMA, other regions previously linked to control of SAT, and regions putatively involved in evidence accumulation for the decision task. Results reveal a primary role of the preâSMA for modulating activity in regions involved in the decision process but suggest that this region receives topâdown input from the DLPFC. Findings also demonstrate the utility of GIMMEâMS and solutionâreduction methods for obtaining valid directional inferences from connectivity path models.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149347/1/hbm24493.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149347/2/hbm24493_am.pd
Confirmatory factor analysis of the Valencia scale on attitudes and beliefs toward hypnosis, therapist version
Health professionals' beliefs and attitudes toward hypnosis may make them reluctant to use it or even to foster misapplications and iatrogenic uses of hypnosis. The Valencia Scale on Attitudes and Beliefs toward Hypnosis-Therapist version (VSABH-T) is a specific instrument to evaluate therapists' attitudes and beliefs. The aims of this study are to evaluate the 8-factor structure of the VSABH-T proposed from a confirmatory perspective. The sample comprised 1,661 licensed psychologists who are members of the Spanish Psychological Association for the initial test and 787 for the retest. Results confirmed the 8-factor structure obtained in a previous exploratory study, namely: Fear, Memory, Help, Control, Collaboration, Interest, Magic, and Marginal. The scale also showed adequate psychometric properties, including good internal consistency and test-retest reliability
Testing Hypotheses About Methods, Traits, and Communalities in the Direct-Product Model
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68271/2/10.1177_014662169201600409.pd
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