Event response data that record the timings of randomly occurred events and the strengths of these events are becoming increasingly important in psychology. Although previous researchers such as Kass et al. and Rathbun et al. have developed techniques to model event timings, and that there are social science literature for modeling event times, few researchers have developed techniques to model the event times as well as the strengths of the events. Thus, the present thesis describes a new model that incorporates the use of functional data analysis to estimate a joint occurrence of event intensity, or the instantaneous rate of occurrence, as well as the strengths of the events. The compound log-likelihood model, which is derived by the sum of the event and the response log-likelihood functions, estimates the intensity function and the smoothed function for the response variable simultaneously. In this thesis, we will discuss the incorporation of covariates into the model, and we will also discuss in detail the positive bounded model, which imposes a constraint to the upper bound of the intensity function, as well as the positive model, where no such constraint is imposed. / The model is applied to a set of lupus data that involve the medical histories of 300 lupus sufferers over 20 years to examine the flare intensity and severity of lupus symptoms of each patient. Results of patients 15 and 148 are discussed in this thesis, which reveal that there might be some linear relationship between the patients' intensity rate and the severity of their flares. Finally, the extent to which the maximum likelihood estimation for the model is accurate is tested using simulated data. Results from the simulation show that the model requires a large sample size for a precise estimate.

No description available.

This thesis studies two aspects of the statistical analysis of complex data in survival and event history analysis. After a short introduction to survival and event history analysis in Chapter 1, we proposed a multivariate proportional intensity factor model for multivariate counting processes in Chapter 2. In an exploratory analysis on process data, a large number of possibly time-varying covariates maybe included. These covariates along with the high-dimensional counting processes often exhibit a low-dimensional structure that has meaningful interpretation. We explore such structure through specifying random coefficients in a low dimensional space through a factor model. For the estimation of the resulting model, we establish the asymptotic theory of the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator (NPMLE). In particular, the NPMLE is consistent, asymptotically normal and asymptotically efficient with covariance matrix that can be consistently estimated by the inverse information matrix or the profile likelihood method under some suitable regularity conditions. Furthermore, to obtain a parsimonious model and to improve interpretation of parameters therein, variable selection and estimation for both fixed and random effects are developed by penalized likelihood. We illustrate the method using simulation studies as well as a real data application from The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Chapter 3 concerns rare events and sparse covariates in event history analysis. In large-scale longitudinal observational databases, the majority of subjects may not experience a particular event of interest. Furthermore, the associated covariate processes could also be zero for most of the subjects at any time. We formulate such setting of rare events and sparse covariates under the proportional intensity model and establish the validity of using the partial likelihood estimator and the observed information matrix for inference under this framework.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Dr. William D. Berry, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences, Dept. of Political Science. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 9, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains x, 198 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D.A.)--Illinois State University, 1997. / Title from title page screen, viewed June 5, 2006. Dissertation Committee: John F. Chizmar (chair), Dean Hiebert, Mark Walbert. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-42) and abstract. Also available in print.

The economic wellbeing, physical and mental health of the ageing population in the United Kingdom is associated with continued participation in the labour force. Encouraging later life employment is therefore a key policy issue. Research into older person's employment trajectories is concentrated on male working patterns, and often takes an individualistic approach that does not account for the domestic context. Previous research on women's labour force participation has been informed by small scale qualitative studies that do consider the household domain but these findings cannot be generalized to the wider population. This research investigates the factors associated with the continued employment of women aged 50 to 59 using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Transition rates out of employment between 2001 and 2011 are modeled using multilevel discrete time event history specifications that permit the inclusion of time varying covariates. Retirement is characterized as an ageing process which allows the impact of predictors on transition rates to be assessed and measured as women approach state pension age. Alternative time structures are considered, with parameter estimates from an age baseline model compared with those from a time on study specification. Results illustrate the sensitivity of parameter estimates in discrete time event history models to the measurement of time, and emphasize the importance of adopting a time metric that is commensurate with the theoretical representation of retirement as a dynamic ageing process. The domestic context is realised as sampled women and their male partners are positionedwithin a household structure, and asymmetric effects of predictors on the transition rate of each gender are considered. Own poor health, caring responsibilities and a retired or inactive spouse accelerate labour market exit for women whilst high levels of accrued pension wealth predict earlier transitions for their male partners. The age of employment exit for females is independent of pension wealth, but pension resources do predict the retirement pathway taken following any transition that does occur. Women residing in the wealthiest households are more likely to report as voluntary retired prior to state pension age whilst those in the poorest of couples are at higher risk of following an involuntary pathway into an alternative inactive state. These findings emphasize the importance of conducting research into later life employment trajectories on a household, rather than individual, basis.

No description available.

Cette thèse de doctorat s’intéresse au cheminement qui mène aux différences de participation au marché du travail français entre divers groupes d’immigrés et le reste de la population résidant en France, en exploitant les données des enquêtes Histoire de vie – Construction des identités (INSEE, 2003), Mobilité géographique et insertion sociale (INED, INSEE, 1992) et Parcours et profils des migrants (DREES, 2 vagues : 2006, 2007). L’originalité de l’approche adoptée tient à la comparaison selon le statut migratoire et la catégorie sexée des individus tout au long du parcours professionnel en France, puis également à la prise en compte de la vie professionnelle des immigrés avant l’immigration et des changements observés à certains moments clés du processus migratoire (à l’arrivée, à l’obtention d’un premier titre de séjour « durable », à l’éventuelle acquisition de la nationalité française). Les résultats obtenus révèlent d’abord l’importance de l’entrée en emploi en France sur la participation économique ultérieure des femmes et des hommes immigrés, cette dernière dépendant à son tour des conditions de la migration et de leur évolution. Bien que l’arrivée en France influe considérablement sur les parcours professionnels des immigré(e)s, son influence pourrait toutefois être relativisée, notamment en comparaison avec d’autres événements d’histoire de vie chez les femmes (surtout ceux familiaux). La dimension genre s’est avérée essentielle à la compréhension de ces processus. / The focus of this doctoral thesis is the study of pathways leading to different levels of participation in the French labour market amongst various immigrant groups and the general population resident in France. Data from several surveys are used to this end: Histoire de vie – Construction des identités [Life histories and identity construction] (INSEE, 2003), Mobilité géographique et insertion sociale [Geographical mobility and social integration] (INED, INSEE, 1992) et Parcours et profils des migrants [Trajectories and profiles of migrants, survey with one-year follow-up] (DREES, 2 vagues : 2006, 2007). The originality of the approach used is in the comparative perspective, according to migratory status and gender category, throughout the occupational trajectory in France and also the consideration of occupational experience before migration and changes observed at certain key moments of the migration process (on arrival in France, on obtaining a first “lasting” residence permit and on the acquisition of French nationality, when this occurred). The results obtained firstly reveal the importance of entering the labour market in France on later economic participation of women and men, the level of participation depending in turn on the conditions of migration and subsequent experiences. Although the moment of arrival in France often constitutes a turning point in occupational histories, its influence could to be considered in relative terms, notably in comparison with other life history events experienced by women (in particular, family-related event). The gender dimension is shown to be crucial in understanding the processes under study.

This dissertation explores the cultural and socioeconomic factors that influence adult role transitions in Ghana. Guided by a life course theoretical framework, and using a nationally representative survey (2003-2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys), I estimate accelerated failure-time (AFT) log-normal models that control for the potential effects of unobserved heterogeneity due to the possible omission of certain relevant covariates. The models reveal that when the most optimal hazard distribution function is specified in an event history model, the problem of unobserved heterogeneity becomes significantly reduced. Results from both non-parametric and parametric models suggest a convergence in marriage and parenthood timing among contemporary young women and young men in Ghana compared with their older cohort, highlighting the salience of sociocultural timing on individuals’ life course decisions. The study also utilizes qualitative data from 30 in-depth interviews conducted in Aburi in the Eastern Region of Ghana, during the summer of 2010. The qualitative approach complements the survey methods by uncovering the influential role of the religious institution, a growing sense of individualism, as well as an emerging consumerist culture on family formation decisions in Ghana. Overall, the findings from this study indicate that the spread of information technology in the rapidly globalizing world has had differential effects on two birth cohorts in Ghana. / Thesis (Ph.D, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2013-12-19 15:00:23.689

Graduate students represent 15% of the students and one-third of the graduates of colleges and universities across the United States. They are leading thinkers in higher education institutions and businesses across the country and around the world. In many fields, such as law, graduate or professional school is required for entry-level employment, whereas in other fields, such as business, graduate education may enhance performance and opportunities for promotion. The educational stratification and college-choice literature document the influence of family background (distal family) on educational attainment. These literatures focus on the traditional undergraduate student without considering the different preferences and responsibilities (context) of potential graduate students considering enrollment. Potential graduate students are often older than high school students making a college choice, are independent from their parents, and may have a spouse and children (proximal family) at the forefront of their educational plans. This dissertation builds on the educational stratification and college-choice literature by considering post-baccalaureate (graduate) enrollment specifically. This study explores the effects of marriage, parenthood, and any corresponding gender effects on whether and when a bachelor's degree recipient enrolls in graduate education. To investigate these proximal family effects and gender effects, I analyzed data from the National Center for Education Statistics' Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study 1993/03--a longitudinal study that surveyed over 11,000 students at the time of their bachelor's degree completion and three additional times over 10 years. Using survival analysis (event history analysis), I measured the amount of time between baccalaureate degree completion and first graduate enrollment. Using this measure, I compared differences in the odds of graduate enrollment and timing of graduate enrollment based on marital status, parental status, and gender. Overall, more women than men enrolled in graduate education, and men enrolled sooner than women. The results showed that being a parent had a negative effect on if and when an individual enrolled in graduate school. Being married also had a negative effect on if and when an individual enrolled in graduate school, with married men experiencing a slightly stronger negative effect than married women. The combined effect of being married and being a parent had the strongest negative effect on graduate enrollment for men and women, but more so for women. By better understanding graduate college choice, institutions can more effectively use resources and improve the opportunities and experiences for graduate students and, specifically, graduate students with families. Minimizing barriers to entry may level the playing field between graduate degree aspirants with families and those without families.