To Target or Not to Target? The cost efficiency of indicator-based targeting

This paper assesses the cost efficiency of indicator-based targeting. Using household survey data from Malawi, we examine whether an indicator-based targeting of the poor is more target- and cost-efficient than the currently used mechanisms for targeting agricultural subsidy programs in the country. There is compelling evidence in favor of targeting Malawi’s poor based on the newly developed system. An indicator-based targeting system appears to be more target- and cost-efficient than the 2000/01 Starter Pack and the 2006/07 Agricultural Input Subsidy Program (AISP). While the Starter Pack and the AISP transferred about 50% of total transfer, under an indicator-based system, about 73% of transfers are delivered to the poor. Likewise, under an indicator-based system, the costs of leakage are cut down by more than 50% compared to Starter Pack and AISP. This work is prospectively relevant for Malawi as its policy makers reflect on improving the efficiency of the country’s pro-poor development programs. Likewise, the research can be applied in other countries with similar targeting problems.Malawi, poverty targeting, validation tests, cost efficiency, development policy, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Food Security and Poverty, Political Economy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, C01, C13, I32,

Les deux niveaux Mérologique et Génotypique de la Morphogenèse des Objets Physiques Qualitatifs: conséquences au point de vue de la Catégorisation

National audienceCet article se propose de voir comment le principe de la Morphogenèse initiée par Thom pourrait s'appliquer aux deux niveaux mérologique et génotypique de conceptualisation des objets physiques qualitatifs d'abord artefactuels, le but étant de créer une ontologie morphodynamique de ces objets-là. Nous proposons aussi de voir les différences et articulations qui existent entre la morphogenèse mérologique et celle dite génotypique, et le rapport de causalité qui les unit. Ainsi, la notion de table qui nous sert d'illustration est un prétexte pour aborder, d'un côté, la question de la complexité des organisations mérologiques locales des objets physiques qualitatifs (généralement, question de l'organisation du concept mérologique selon un point de vue phénoménologico-ontologiste), et de l'autre, celle du schématisme de leur propre engendrement (ou généralement, question de constitution du concept génotypique)

Targeting the poor and smallholder farmers: empirical evidence from Malawi

This paper develops low cost, reasonably accurate, and simple models for improving the targeting efficiency of development policies in Malawi. Using a stepwise logistic regression (weighted) along with other techniques applied in credit scoring, the research identifies a set of easily observable and verifiable indicators for correctly predicting whether a household is poor or not, based on the 2004-05 Malawi Integrated Household Survey data. The predictive power of the models is assessed using out-of-sample validation tests and receiver operating characteristic curves, whereas the model’s robustness is evaluated by bootstrap simulation methods. Finally, sensitivity analyses are performed using the international and extreme poverty lines. The models developed have proven their validity in an independent sample derived from the same population. Findings suggest that the rural model calibrated to the national poverty line correctly predicts the status of about 69% of poor households when applied to an independent subset of surveyed households, whereas the urban model correctly identifies 64% of poor households. Increasing the poverty line improves the model’s targeting performances, while reducing the poverty line does the opposite. In terms of robustness, the rural model yields a more robust result with a prediction margin ±10% points compared to the urban model. While the best indicator sets can potentially yield a sizable impact on poverty if used in combination with a direct transfer program, some non-poor households would also be targeted as the result of model’s leakage. One major feature of the models is that household score can be easily and quickly computed in the field. Overall, the models developed can be potential policy tools for Malawi.Malawi, poverty targeting, proxy means tests, out-of-sample tests, bootstrap, Food Security and Poverty, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, I32, C15,

Alien Registration- Dufresne, Nazaire (Lewiston, Androscoggin County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/29574/thumbnail.jp

Student Recital - Stephane Nazaire

Senior Recital program for Stephane Nazaire.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/2470/thumbnail.jp

The Effectiveness of Build-A-Bop as a tool to build Self-Efficacy on an Inpatient Unit

This thesis explored Build-A-Bop, an original intervention that utilizes elements of drama therapy, music therapy, and Hip-Hop therapy with adults who have been admitted to an adult inpatient short-term unit. Research has shown that hip hop therapy and drama therapy are effective approaches in an adult short-term psychiatric unit (Keisari & Palgi, 2017). This paper presents the foundation for Build-A-Bop and explored its capacity to encourage self-efficacy with adults in an inpatient psychiatric unit. For the purposes of this thesis, Build-A-Bop was broken into four different groups, where each group activity was run by a single drama therapist, who was also the creator of the intervention. Participation was voluntary, and patient experience was recorded by the group leader through journal entries and arts-based responses. Overall, this thesis found that Build-A-Bop has the potential to be useful for adults in a short-term psychiatric unit

Alien Registration- Martin, Nazaire (Lewiston, Androscoggin County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/28955/thumbnail.jp

Targeting the poor and smallholder farmers : empirical evidence from Malawi

This paper develops low cost, reasonably accurate, and simple models for improving the targeting efficiency of development policies in Malawi. Using a stepwise logistic regression (weighted) along with other techniques applied in credit scoring, the research identifies a set of easily observable and verifiable indicators for correctly predicting whether a household is poor or not, based on the 2004-05 Malawi Integrated Household Survey data. The predictive power of the models is assessed using out-of-sample validation tests and receiver operating characteristic curves, whereas the model?s robustness is evaluated by bootstrap simulation methods. Finally, sensitivity analyses are performed using the international and extreme poverty lines. The models developed have proven their validity in an independent sample derived from the same population. Findings suggest that the rural model calibrated to the national poverty line correctly predicts the status of about 69% of poor households when applied to an independent subset of surveyed households, whereas the urban model correctly identifies 64% of poor households. Increasing the poverty line improves the model?s targeting performances, while reducing the poverty line does the opposite. In terms of robustness, the rural model yields a more robust result with a prediction margin ±10% points compared to the urban model. While the best indicator sets can potentially yield a sizable impact on poverty if used in combination with a direct transfer program, some non-poor households would also be targeted as the result of model?s leakage. One major feature of the models is that household score can be easily and quickly computed in the field. Overall, the models developed can be potential policy tools for Malawi

Alien Registration- D\u27Auteuil, Nazaire (Brunswick, Cumberland County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/31562/thumbnail.jp