Size constrained unequal probability sampling with a non-integer sum of inclusion probabilities

More than 50 methods have been developed to draw unequal probability samples with fixed sample size. All these methods require the sum of the inclusion probabilities to be an integer number. There are cases, however, where the sum of desired inclusion probabilities is not an integer. Then, classical algorithms for drawing samples cannot be directly applied. We present two methods to overcome the problem of sample selection with unequal inclusion probabilities when their sum is not an integer and the sample size cannot be fixed. The first one consists in splitting the inclusion probability vector. The second method is based on extending the population with a phantom unit. For both methods the sample size is almost fixed, and equal to the integer part of the sum of the inclusion probabilities or this integer plus one

Les répercussions des tablettes électroniques sur les compétences en rédaction dans les cours de perfectionnement en anglais de niveau collégial

Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 14 mai 2013)Disponible en anglais : The Impact on Writing Skills of Tablets in College Developmental English Classes.Bibliogr

A simple variance estimator of change for rotating repeated surveys: an application to the EU-SILC household surveys

A common problem is to compare two cross-sectional estimates for the same study variable taken on two different waves or occasions, and to judge whether the change observed is statistically significant. This involves the estimation of the sampling variance of the estimator of change. The estimation of this variance would be relatively straightforward if cross-sectional estimates were based on the same sample. Unfortunately, samples are not completely overlapping, because of rotations used in repeated surveys. We propose a simple approach based on a multivariate (general) linear regression model. The variance estimator proposed is not a model-based estimator. We show that the estimator proposed is design consistent when the sampling fractions are negligible. It can accommodate stratified and two-stage sampling designs. The main advantage of the approach proposed is its simplicity and flexibility. It can be applied to a wide class of sampling designs and can be implemented with standard statistical regression techniques. Because of its flexibility, the approach proposed is well suited for the estimation of variance for the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions surveys. It allows us to use a common approach for variance estimation for the different types of design. The approach proposed is a useful tool, because it involves only modelling skills and requires limited knowledge of survey sampling theory

Diversité des méthodes utilisées par les laboratoires français pour la surveillance des infections à cytomégalovirus humain

Monitoring cytomegalovirus circulating viral load is an important parameter of the follow-up in immunocompromised patients. It can be measured either by DNAemia or by pp65 antigenemia. The French national reference center for cytomegaloviruses organized an investigation of practice in 37 teacher hospital virology laboratories to assess the situation in France in 2010. Methods A questionnaire was sent to collect following information: method used in routine for monitoring of circulating viral load of CMV, assay used, sample matrix and extraction method. Results Thirty-six over thirty-seven laboratories filled the questionnaire. Among these, 67% used the quantitative PCR in routine, 11% antigenemia and 22% antigenemia or quantitative PCR; 87% of the laboratories use whole blood for quantitative PCR, whereas 10% and 3% use plasma and leukocytes respectively. Among the laboratories using DNAemia, 100% used real-time PCR assays, 91% use an automated extraction and 9% a manual extraction. Conclusion Thus in France, measurement of DNAemia by real-time PCR is a tool, which gradually replaces the antigenemia for the monitoring of cytomegalovirus infection among immunocompromised patients. The very great diversity of the methods used justifies the installation of a national quality control on total blood, matrix used by 87% of the laboratories

Guide de sensibilisation à la programmation

Placée auprès du Ministre en charge de l’architecture, la Mission pour la Qualité des Constructions Publiques a pour vocation de promouvoir la qualité architecturale des ouvrages édifiés pour le compte des collectivités publiques. Son positionnement interministériel lui permet d’associer, dans sa réflexion et dans son action, de nombreux partenaires publics et professionnels, en France et en Europe, et de fonder ses recommandations sur l’observation et l’analyse de leurs pratiques. Le présent guide de sensibilisation à la programmation des équipements publics à vocation à faire découvrir l\u27intérêt de la programmation et à inviter les maîtres d\u27ouvrage publics à s\u27engager dans une telle démarche

Nouvelle donne pour l’innovation dans les petites entreprises: processus et outils [Innovation in small businesses: processes and tools]

Executive Summary Recommendations for the development of the innovator’s toolkit. The report summarises the key difficulties small businesses face regarding innovation. Small businesses face some pertinent problems such as lack of strategic thinking time and limited access to resources. On the other hand, increased flexibility and responsiveness to market are usually defined as the advantages of innovating small businesses (Keizer et al., 2002; Boldrini et al., 2011). The development of the toolkit should build on these identified strengths and weaknesses. In particular, the suggested tools should take into account the limited time small businesses managers have to engage in strategic thinking about innovation: tools should be packaged in forms needing minimal support and preparation. Most NDI project partners are organisations engaged in business support that will be active in the delivery of the toolkit. There is some evidence that relations between business support organisations and small businesses are complex and difficult for many firms to navigate. One implication for the toolkit design is that the method of delivery and the role of the support agencies may be equally important to the tools themselves. A suggestion may be that businesses are provided with a sole point of contact to ensure continuity in the business-support agency relationship. The survey will test whether particular tools suit different modes of delivery. The literature review conducted for this report has helped define the themes that should be further explored in the survey. There are sufficient data regarding the type of innovation small businesses engage in and the obstacles they face but less regarding the “black-boxed” innovation process. A particular challenge for NDI is that the project focuses on sectors that are not traditionally considered innovative: the “artisanal” sectors have attracted less interest than high-technology firms. The survey will aim to cover this gap by collecting data on innovation processes in small businesses (origins and realisation of innovative ideas). Collaborative or more broadly open innovation was a further theme emerging in the literature. Collaboration allows small businesses to draw on resources that are not available and cannot be developed in-house. One of the roles of support agencies is to promote inter-firm linkages. The questionnaire survey will consider the role of collaborative relations and experience with support programmes in fostering innovation. The aim of the NDI project is to develop a toolkit that small businesses can use in developing their innovation projects. The research for this report has resulted in the following implications for the design of the toolkit: 1. Need to develop diagnostic tools / “innovation audits” to evaluate the needs and potential of SMEs. Widely used innovation indicators such as investment in R&D are not as suitable for measuring innovation in small businesses. Alternative indicators such as investment in skills and staff development may be more suited to small businesses. 2. How to aid small businesses develop the “absorptive capacity” to benefit from collaboration while at the same time building on the benefits of existing small business expertise. 3. Consider the potential of mentoring schemes and SME-university collaboration in achieving knowledge transfer to small businesses. 4. Consider how businesses can build beneficial contacts with potential partners (other small firms or larger firms, business support organisations and research/training institutes). Some evidence in support of these programmes is already available from the partners. Firms can benefit from a wider variety of links with diverse organisations. 5. Identify what role the partner organisations will have in the delivery of the tools: in particular, distinguish between the roles of general business support organisations and sector specific agencies. Alignment between tools and delivery methods should be considered