Using recursive regression to explore nonlinear relationships and interactions: A tutorial applied to a multicultural education study

This paper discusses how a seldom-used statistical procedure, recursive regression (RR), can numerically and graphically illustrate data-driven nonlinear relationships and interaction of variables. This routine falls into the family of exploratory techniques, yet a few interesting features make it a valuable compliment to factor analysis and multiple linear regression for method triangulation. By comparison, nonlinear cluster analysis also generates graphical dendrograms to visually depict relationships, but RR (as implemented here) uses multiple combinations of nominal and interval predictors regressed on a categorical or ratio dependent variable. In similar fashion, multidimensional scaling, multiple discriminant analysis and conjoint analysis are constrained at best to predicting an ordinal dependent variable (as currently implemented in popular software). A flexible capability of RR (again as implemented here) is the transformation of factor data (for substituting codes). One powerful RR feature is the ability to treat missing data as a theoretically important predictor value (useful for survey questions that respondents do not wish to answer). For practitioners, the paper summarizes how this technique fits within the generally-accepted statistical methods. Popular software such as SPSS, SAS or LISREL can be used, while sample data can be imported in common formats including ASCII text, comma delimited, Excel XLS, and SPSS SAV. A tutorial approach is applied here using RR in LISREL. The tutorial leverages a partial sample from a study that used recursive regression to predict grades from international student learning styles. Some tutorial portions are technical, to improve the ambiguous RR literature. Accessed 17,736 times on https://pareonline.net from March 16, 2009 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

Compressed School Week Cultural Bias against English Second Language Student Performance on Standardized Exams

Financial constraints have driven K-12 schools in the isolated mountain regions of USA to reduce costs by shortening the teaching week These regions have a high relative population of Hispanic Mexican immigrants who are English Language Learners ELL Hispanic immigrants come to USA to work but generally at low wages so it is a financial strain to pay childcare during the week to avoid losing a day of work At the same time teachers are under pressure from the No Child Left Behind national initiative to ensure all students pass standardized tests There is some evidence that shorter school weeks does not negatively impact student learning However we argue that a shorter school week negatively impacts ELL student performance on standardized exams and if this were true it would be unfair to immigrants so the practice should be changed We empirically tested the effectiveness of various school week formats using a large sample of rural schools in Oregon with a high concentration of ELL students from Hispanic Mexican cultures N 62

Exploring Socio-Cultural Factors Impacting Agriculture in Information System Acceptance

Agricultural Information Systems (AIS) can provide several advantages for farmers in taking informed decisions regarding land, labour, livestock, and crop planning. However, there are not many empirical studies in examining the adoption of these AIS by farmers, especially in developing countries in Africa. This study adopts an unconventional socio-cultural approach in examining if the farmers think the use of AIS improves economic production, at the individual level of analysis. The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study is to explore the socio-cultural success factors that improve employee acceptance of agriculture information system at some rural Nigerian farms. The results of this study could be disseminated to all rural Nigerian farm owners so they will know the critical success factors that improve employee acceptance of agriculture information system thereby increasing wheat production to reduce their national agricultural crisis. Another positive social change implication of the results of this on-going research would be to inspire researchers to replicate and extend this study in regions experiencing agricultural crises

B2C Decisions in Multi-Dialect Markets: Proposed Sequential Mixed-Method Multiple Case Grounded-Theory Study

This paper is a conceptual proposal for conducting a mixed-method multiple case study on a consumer behaviour topic in an emerging nation. Government administrators and marketing managers need current, reliable consumer behaviour models to serve the public and to achieve a profitable return on investment in Nigeria. There is a shortage of online consumer behaviour research in some highly populated emerging economies in Africa, such as in Nigeria, especially concerning the influence of demographic and socio-cultural factors. The purpose of this study will be to produce a visual, conceptual model of consumer decision making factors for the unique socio-cultural population. The purpose of this study is to scientifically explore the ground truth of Nigerian consumer online purchasing decisions to build a practical model for e-commerce stakeholders. The results of this study should be interesting for other researchers due to the novel sequential mixed-method grounded theory and multiple case study literal replication design. Nigerian e-commerce marketing managers and policymakers in the population could benefit financially from this extension to the body of knowledge

Business analytics-based enterprise information systems

Big data analytics and business analytics are a disruptive technology and innovative solution for enterprise development. However, what is the relationship between business analytics, big data analytics, and enterprise information systems (EIS)? How can business analytics enhance the development of EIS? How can analytics be incorporated into EIS? These are still big issues. This article addresses these three issues by proposing ontology of business analytics, presenting an analytics service-oriented architecture (ASOA) and applying ASOA to EIS, where our surveyed data analysis showed that the proposed ASOA is viable for developing EIS. This article then examines incorporation of business analytics into EIS through proposing a model for business analytics service-based EIS, or ASEIS for short. The proposed approach in this article might facilitate the research and development of EIS, business analytics, big data analytics, and business intelligence

Business analytics-based enterprise information systems

Big data analytics and business analytics are a disruptive technology and innovative solution for enterprise development. However, what is the relationship between business analytics, big data analytics, and enterprise information systems (EIS)? How can business analytics enhance the development of EIS? How can analytics be incorporated into EIS? These are still big issues. This article addresses these three issues by proposing ontology of business analytics, presenting an analytics service-oriented architecture (ASOA) and applying ASOA to EIS, where our surveyed data analysis showed that the proposed ASOA is viable for developing EIS. This article then examines incorporation of business analytics into EIS through proposing a model for business analytics service-based EIS, or ASEIS for short. The proposed approach in this article might facilitate the research and development of EIS, business analytics, big data analytics, and business intelligence

Embedded filter bank-based algorithm for ECG compression

In this work, two ECG compression schemes are presented using two types of filter banks to decompose the incoming signal: wavelet packets (WP) and nearly-perfect reconstruction cosine modulated filter banks. The conventional embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW) algorithm takes advantage of the hierarchical relationship among subband coefficients of the pyramidal wavelet decomposition. Nevertheless, it performs worse when used with WP as the hierarchy becomes more complex. In order to address this problem, we propose a new technique that considers no relationship among coefficients, and is therefore suitable for use with WP. Furthermore, this new approximation makes it possible to apply the quantization method toM-channel maximally decimated filter banks. In this fashion, the proposed algorithm provides two efficient and effective ECG compressors that show better ECG compression performance than the conventional EZW algorithm

There is no age limit for methadone: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Data from the US indicates that methadone-maintained populations are aging, with an increase of patients aged 50 or older. Data from European methadone populations is sparse. This retrospective cohort study sought to evaluate the age trends and related developments in the methadone population of Basel-City, Switzerland. METHODS: The study included methadone patients between April 1, 1995 and March 31, 2003. Anonymized data was taken from the methadone register of Basel-City. For analysis of age distributions, patient samples were split into four age categories from '20-29 years' to '50 years and over'. Cross-sectional comparisons were performed using patient samples of 1996 and 2003. RESULTS: Analysis showed a significant increase in older patients between 1996 and 2003 (p < 0.001). During that period, the percentage of patients aged 50 and over rose almost tenfold, while the proportion of patients aged under 30 dropped significantly from 52.8% to 12.3%. The average methadone dose (p < 0.001) and the 1-year retention rate (p < 0.001) also increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Findings point to clear trends in aging of methadone patients in Basel-City which are comparable, although less pronounced, to developments among US methadone populations. Many unanswered questions on medical, psychosocial and health economic consequences remain as the needs of older patients have not yet been evaluated extensively. However, older methadone patients, just as any other patients, should be accorded treatment appropriate to their medical condition and needs. Particular attention should be paid to adequate solutions for persons in need of care