This thesis explores and describes the relationship between emotional intelligence, job satisfaction and job self-efficacy. The sample was collected between 2007 and 2010 and consists of 1336 South Africans within the workplace. Trait emotional intelligence was assessed using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue), while job satisfaction and job self-efficacy were assessed from the biographical questions asked during the TEIQue assessment process. The first hypothesis investigated whether there is a statistically significant relationship between job satisfaction and trait emotional intelligence. A relationship was found that is statistically, but not practically, significant. The second hypothesis centred on the relationship between job self-efficacy and emotional intelligence, with statistically significant results (p<0.001), and a weaker relationship than the one found between job satisfaction and scores on the TEIQue. The third hypothesis, investigating a possible interaction effect between job satisfaction and job self-efficacy, was rejected. In addition to the study’s three hypotheses, exploratory IRT analysis was conducted on a section of the TEIQue items in order to further explore the functioning of the test within the South African context. Findings suggest that there is a relationship between the constructs within the study, but that this relationship is more complex than first assumed, being affected by issues such as social desirability and central tendency bias. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

本論文探討當自變數存在測量誤差時，羅吉斯迴歸模型的估計問題，並將此結果應用在電腦化適性測驗中的線上校準問題。在變動長度電腦化測驗的假設下，我們證明了估計量的強收斂性。試題反應理論被廣泛地使用在電腦化適性測驗上，其假設受試者在試題的表現情形與本身的能力，可以透過試題特徵曲線加以詮釋，羅吉斯迴歸模式是最常見的試題反應模式。藉由適性測驗的施行，考題的選取可以依據不同受試者，選擇最適合的題目。因此，相較於傳統測驗而言，在適性測驗中，題目的消耗量更為快速。在題庫的維護與管理上，新試題的補充與試題校準便為非常重要的工作。線上試題校準意指在線上測驗進行中，同時進行試題校準。因此，受試者的能力估計會存在測量誤差。從統計的觀點，線上校準面臨的困難，可以解釋為在非線性模型下，當自變數有測量誤差時的實驗設計問題。我們利用序貫設計降低測量誤差，得到更精確的估計，相較於傳統的試題校準，可以節省更多的時間及成本。我們利用處理測量誤差的技巧，進一步應用序貫設計的方法，處理在線上校準中，受試者能力存在測量誤差的問題。 / In this dissertation, we focus on the estimate in logistic regression models when the independent variables are subject to some measurement errors. The problem of this dissertation is motivated by online calibration in Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). We apply the measurement error model techniques and adaptive sequential design methodology to the online calibration problem of CAT. We prove that the estimates of item parameters are strongly consistent under the variable length CAT setup. In an adaptive testing scheme, examinees are presented with different sets of items chosen from a pre-calibrated item pool. Thus the speed of attrition in items will be very fast, and replenishing of item pool is essential for CAT. The online calibration scheme in CAT refers to estimating the item parameters of new, un-calibrated items by presenting them to examinees during the course of their ability testing together with previously calibrated items. Therefore, the estimated latent trait levels of examinees are used as the design points for estimating the parameter of the new items, and naturally these designs, the estimated latent trait levels, are subject to some estimating errors. Thus the problem of the online calibration under CAT setup can be formulated as a sequential estimation problem with measurement errors in the independent variables, which are also chosen sequentially. Item Response Theory (IRT) is the most commonly used psychometric model in CAT, and the logistic type models are the most popular models used in IRT based tests. That's why the nonlinear design problem and the nonlinear measurement error models are involved. Sequential design procedures proposed here can provide more accurate estimates of parameters, and are more efficient in terms of sample size (number of examinees used in calibration). In traditional calibration process in paper-and-pencil tests, we usually have to pay for the examinees joining the pre-test calibration process. In online calibration, there will be less cost, since we are able to assign new items to the examinees during the operational test. Therefore, the proposed procedures will be cost-effective as well as time-effective.

[pt] A finalidade desta tese é propor estimadores pontuais para os coeficientes de escalonabilidade associados à Teoria de Resposta ao Item não Paramétrica (TRIN), a saber: Hij, Hi e H, e seus respectivos estimadores da variância, baseados na abordagem da amostragem de populações finitas. Com o objetivo de investigar empiricamente a qualidade destes estimadores são consideradas as populações de referência que são formadas pelos alunos que frequentavam o 9° ano do Ensino Fundamental, na rede pública, em áreas urbanas dos Estados de Roraima e do Rio de Janeiro, que participaram da Prova Brasil 2007. As respostas obtidas destes alunos a um conjunto de 10 itens dicotomizados que mensuram o capital econômico da sua família foram usadas na construção dos coeficientes de escalonabilidade do Modelo de Homogeneidade Monótona da TRIN. Repetidas amostras foram selecionadas de cada população de referência empregando dois planos amostrais: AC1S (amostragem por conglomerados em único estágio) e AC2-SAEB (com seleção de escolas e turmas, estratificação e sorteio das unidades do primeiro estágio com probabilidade proporcional a uma medida de tamanho da escola. A estimação pontual é baseada no Modelo de Superpopulação. Duas técnicas foram tratadas para a estimação da variância: método do Conglomerado Primário e Delete - 1 Jackknife. As medidas usuais: vício relativo, erro relativo médio, intervalo de confiança e efeito do plano amostral são usadas para a avaliação da qualidade dos estimadores em termos das propriedades de vício e precisão. O estudo assinala que os estimadores pontuais apresentam boas propriedades e, além disto, o estimador da variância corrigido pelo fator de correção de população finita é o mais apropriado em termos de vício e precisão. O plano amostral complexo adotado teve impacto na estimação pontual e da variância dos estimadores dos coeficientes de escalonabilidade. / [en] The purpose of this thesis is to propose estimators for the coefficients of scalability associated with Non Parametric Item Response Theory (NIRT), namely: Hij, Hi and H, and their variance estimators, based on the approach of sampling finite populations. To investigate empirically the quality of these estimators are considered the reference populations that are formed by students attending the 9th year of elementary school, in public, in urban areas of the states of Roraima and Rio de Janeiro, who participated Prova Brasil 2007. The responses of students to a set of 10 dichotomized items that measure the economic status of their families were used in the construction of the coefficients of scalability of the Homogeneity Model. Repeated samples were selected from each reference population using two sampling plans: AC1S (cluster sampling single stage) and AC2-SAEB (with selecting schools and classes, stratification and draw units of the first stage with probability proportional to a measure of school size). The point estimate is based on the approach of the Model Overpopulation. Two techniques were treated to estimate the variance: Ultimate Cluster method and Delete - 1 Jackknife. The usual measures: relative bias, mean relative error, confidence intervals and effect of the sampling plan is used to assess the quality of the estimators in terms of the properties of bias and accuracy. The study notes that the estimators have good properties and, in addition, the estimator of the variance corrected by the correction factor for finite population is the most appropriate in terms of accuracy and bias. The complex sampling (AC2-SAEB) impacted the point estimate and variance of the estimators of the coefficients of scalability.

No description available.

The field of medicine is regularly faced with the challenge of utilizing information that is complicated or difficult to characterize. Physicians often must use their best judgment in reaching decisions or recommendations for treatment in the clinical setting. The goal of this thesis is to use innovative statistical tools in tackling three specific challenges of this nature from current healthcare applications. The first aim focuses on developing a novel approach to meta-analysis when combining binary data from multiple studies of paired design, particularly in cases of high heterogeneity between studies. The challenge is in properly accounting for heterogeneity when dealing with a low or moderate number of studies, and with a rarely occurring outcome. The proposed approach uses a Rasch model for translating data from multiple paired studies into a unified structure that allows for properly handling variability associated with both pair effects and study effects. Analysis is then performed using a Bayesian hierarchical structure, which accounts for heterogeneity in a direct way within the variances of the separate generating distributions for each model parameter. This approach is applied to the debated topic within the dental community of the comparative effectiveness of materials used for pit-and-fissure sealants. The second and third aims of this research both have applications in early detection of breast cancer. The interpretation of a mammogram is often difficult since signs of early disease are often minuscule, and the appearance of even normal tissue can be highly variable and complex. Physicians often have to consider many important pieces of the whole picture when trying to assess next steps. The final two aims focus on improving the interpretation of findings in mammograms to aid in early cancer detection. When dealing with high frequency and irregular data, as is seen in most medical images, the behaviors of these complex structures are often difficult or impossible to quantify by standard modeling techniques. But a commonly occurring phenomenon in high-frequency data is that of regular scaling. The second aim in this thesis is to develop and evaluate a wavelet-based scaling estimator that reduces the information in a mammogram down to an informative and low-dimensional quantification of the innate scaling behavior, optimized for use in classifying the tissue as cancerous or non-cancerous. The specific demands for this estimator are that it be robust with respect to distributional assumptions on the data, and with respect to outlier levels in the frequency domain representation of the data. The final aim in this research focuses on enhancing the visualization of microcalcifications that are too small to capture well on screening mammograms. Using scale-mixing discrete wavelet transform methods, the existing detail information contained in a very small and course image will be used to impute scaled details at finer levels. These "informed" finer details will then be used to produce an image of much higher resolution than the original, improving the visualization of the object. The goal is to also produce a confidence area for the true location of the shape's borders, allowing for more accurate feature assessment. Through the more accurate assessment of these very small shapes, physicians may be more confident in deciding next steps.

Les maladies neurodégénératives, telles que la maladie d'Alzheimer (AD) et Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT), sont des maladies complexes. Leurs mécanismes pathologiques ne sont toujours pas bien compris et les progrès dans la recherche et le développement de nouvelles thérapies potentielles modifiant la maladie sont lents. Les données catégorielles, comme les échelles de notation et les données sur les études d'association génomique (GWAS), sont largement utilisées dans les maladies neurodégénératives dans le diagnostic, la prédiction et le suivi de la progression. Il est important de comprendre et d'interpréter ces données correctement si nous voulons améliorer la recherche sur les maladies neurodégénératives. Le but de cette thèse est d'utiliser la théorie psychométrique moderne: théorie de la réponse d’item pour analyser ces données catégoriques afin de mieux comprendre les maladies neurodégénératives et de faciliter la recherche de médicaments correspondante. Tout d'abord, nous avons appliqué l'analyse de Rasch afin d'évaluer la validité du score de neuropathie Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMTNS), un critère important d'évaluation principal pour les essais cliniques de la maladie de CMT. Nous avons ensuite adapté le modèle Rasch à l'analyse des associations génétiques pour identifier les gènes associés à la maladie d'Alzheimer. Cette méthode résume les génotypes catégoriques de plusieurs marqueurs génétiques tels que les polymorphisme nucléotidique (SNPs) en un seul score génétique. Enfin, nous avons calculé l'information mutuelle basée sur la théorie de réponse d’item pour sélectionner les items sensibles dans ADAS-cog, une mesure de fonctionnement cognitif la plus utilisées dans les études de la maladie d'Alzheimer, afin de mieux évaluer le progrès de la maladie. / Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT), are complex diseases. Their pathological mechanisms are still not well understood, and the progress in the research and development of new potential disease-modifying therapies is slow. Categorical data like rating scales and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) data are widely utilized in the neurodegenerative diseases in the diagnosis, prediction and progression monitor. It is important to understand and interpret these data correctly if we want to improve the disease research. The purpose of this thesis is to use the modern psychometric Item Response Theory to analyze these categorical data for better understanding the neurodegenerative diseases and facilitating the corresponding drug research. First, we applied the Rasch analysis in order to assess the validity of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Score (CMTNS), a main endpoint for the CMT disease clinical trials. We then adapted the Rasch model to the analysis of genetic associations and used to identify genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease by summarizing the categorical genotypes of several genetic markers such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) into one genetic score. Finally, to select sensitive items in the most used psychometrical tests for Alzheimer’s disease, we calculated the mutual information based on the item response model to evaluate the sensitivity of each item on the ADAS-cog scale.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This dissertation aims to analyze the items and dimensions of quality related to apartments in the city of Santa Maria / RS. It is underlined that quality investigated comes to compliance with the characteristics required by customers. About the methodological proceedings, 39 characteristics of location qualities, position and typological were listed according to the bibliography and sequentially reviewed by the real estate agencies. Subsequently, on the real estate agencies, data were collected of 500 apartments sold on 04/01/2013 to 08/25/2014; representing 37% of apartments sold in the city in that period. The data analysis began with the classical theory of tests, using Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis sequentially, using the varimax rotation; which identified two factors, based on the criterion of Kaiser. Thus, the approach of Item Response Theory was opportunity, with the logistic model of two parameters as well, the presentation of the critical aspects on the use of Item Response Theory. The first model of Item Response Theory, whose latent trait was named quality of apartments about status, are compost of four items; while the second model, the latent trait quality of apartments about utility, no identified items Sequentially, it was found that the analyzed apartments had scores between 80 to 90, thus, it is clear that most of the apartments investigated for status have the score features 80 in ITR. Therefore it is possible conclude that the proposed objective of this dissertation was achieved. / Esta dissertação visa analisar os itens e dimensões da qualidade referentes aos apartamentos da cidade de Santa Maria/RS. Salienta-se que a qualidade estudada se trata da satisfação das características requeridas pelos clientes. Acerca dos procedimentos metodológicos, 39 características acerca de qualidades de localização, posição e tipológicas foram elencados de acordo com a bibliografia e sequencialmente verificados nas agências imobiliárias. Posteriormente, nas agências imobiliárias, foram coletados dados de 500 apartamentos vendidos nos períodos de 04/01/2013 a 25/08/2014; representando 37% dos apartamentos vendidos na cidade no referido período. O tratamento dos dados iniciou com a Teoria Clássica dos Testes, utilizando a Análise Fatorial Exploratória e sequencialmente a Análise Fatorial Confirmatória, utilizando a rotação ortogonal varimax; que apontou dois fatores, tendo como base o critério de Kaiser. Oportunizando assim a abordagem da Teoria de Resposta ao Item, apresentando o Modelo Logístico de dois parâmetros bem como, a apresentação dos aspectos críticos acerca da utilização da Teoria de Resposta ao Item. O primeiro modelo da Teoria de Resposta ao Item, cujo traço latente foi denominado qualidade dos apartamentos quanto ao status do apartamento, é composto por quatro itens; enquanto o segundo modelo, de traço latente qualidade dos apartamentos quanto à utilidade, não gerou itens. Sequencialmente, verificou-se que os apartamentos analisados possuíam escore entre 80 a 90, por conseguinte, é possível afirmar que a maioria dos apartamentos investigados quanto a status possuem as características de escore 80 na TRI. Portanto, é possível afirmar que, o objetivo proposto da presente dissertação foi alcançado.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Daniel Miranda Machado / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Mestrado Profissional em Matemática em Rede Nacional - PROFMAT, Santo André, 2017. / Um dos objetivos desse trabalho é explicar a Teoria de Resposta ao Item, conhecida como TRI, enfatizando o modelo logístico de três parâmetros e descrevendo suas principais características. Outro objetivo é mostrar como o professor pode utilizar ferramentas estatísticas, em uma planilha eletrônica, para: verificar a qualidade das questões que compõe sua prova; analisar se existe uma correlação entre dois instrumentos de avaliação; utilizar a média escolar de um aluno para inferir sobre o seu desempenho no vestibular; entre outras possibilidades. Com a finalidade de explicar a TRI e seu método de estimação de parâmetros por Máxima Verossimilhança, são apresentados previamente os modelos Matemáticos, Probabilísticos e Estatísticos, pilares dessa teoria. Além disso, é descrito como os programas de avaliações educacionais em larga escala de diversos países utilizam a TRI para monitorar o desempenho de seus sistemas educacionais. Em seguida, são expostas algumas ferramentas Estatísticas, em específico, o coeficiente de correlação, o método de mínimos quadrados e o ponto bisserial que podem colaborar nos processos de avaliações educacionais que fazem parte da rotina escolar. São ilustrados também exemplos de planilhas eletrônicas com a descrição passo a passo de sua construção e dos comandos utilizados. Desse modo, espera-se contribuir para compreensão da TRI e, consequentemente, dos indicativos educacionais produzidos pelos programas de avaliações em larga escala, bem como, para atuação e reflexão da prática docente em seus métodos de avaliação educacional. / One of the goals of this work is to explain Item Response Theory, known as IRT, emphasizing the Three-Parameter Logistic model and describing its main characteristics. Another objective is to demonstrate how educators can use statistical tools within a spreadsheet to: verify the quality and reliability of test questions; examine whether there is a correlation between two assessment tools; use the school average of a student to predict his or her performance in entrance examinations; among other possibilities. To explain IRT and its method of parameter estimation by maximum likelihood, this work presents the mathematical, probabilistic and statistical models that are the pillars of the theory. It also describes how the large-scale educational assessment programs of various countries use IRT to monitor the performance of their education systems. Then, this work presents a selection of statistical tools, specifically, the correlation coefficient, the least squares method and the point biserial correlation, which could contribute to the process of routine educational assessments. Also provided are illustrated examples of spreadsheets with step-by- step descriptions of their creation and the commands used. Thus, the work hopes to contribute to the understanding of IRT and, consequently, of the educational indicators produced by large-scale assessment programs, as well as benefit educators in their practice and reflection on methods of educational evaluation.

Contexte. Au cours des dernières années, l’évaluation de la violence sexuelle a connu un essor croissant. En effet, les milieux de la recherche tentent d’étudier plus largement l’ensemble des violences sexuelles, notamment en s’intéressant à la coercition sexuelle. À ce jour, il subsiste des différences quant à la définition de la notion de coercition sexuelle et une incertitude relative aux instruments de mesure à employer demeure. Objectif. L’objectif du présent mémoire est donc de construire et de mettre à l’épreuve la validé d’une échelle de mesure de la coercition sexuelle en utilisant les items du Multidimensional Inventory of Development, Sex, and Agression (MIDSA). Méthodes. L’échantillon est composé de 529 hommes, ayant commis une infraction à caractère sexuel, incarcérés dans une prison ou encore dans un centre de traitement du Massachusetts ou du Minnesota. Tous les participants ont complété le MIDSA. Le MIDSA propose 20 items mesurant 5 types de tactiques de coercition sexuelle : la manipulation, l’intoxication volontaire, l’action de prendre avantage d’une personne intoxiquée, la menace de l’utilisation de la force physique ainsi que l’utilisation de la force physique. Résultats. Les résultats indiquent que l’échelle de coercition sexuelle à 5 items possède les meilleures propriétés psychométriques. La cohérence interne de l'échelle est bonne. De plus, les analyses de théorie de réponse à l’item indiquent que la majorité des items étaient considérés comme difficiles et que tous les items possèdent un bon pouvoir discriminant. Enfin, l’échelle présente des corrélations de modérées à élevées avec la majorité des échelles associées, indiquant ainsi une bonne validité convergente et concurrente. / Background. In recent years, the assessment of sexual violence has grown steadily. In fact, the research community has been trying to examine broader forms of sexual perpetration and victimization, especially sexual coercion. There is no consistent definition in the literature for sexual coercion and uncertainty remains regarding the measuring instruments. Objective. The study aims to create a scale of sexual coercion using items from the Multidimensional Inventory of Development, Sex, and Aggression (MIDSA) and assess its validity. Methods. The sample included 529 adult males who committed a sexual offense. They completed the MIDSA while incarcerated in prisons and special commitment facilities in Massachusetts and Minnesota at the time of assessment. The MIDSA proposes a 20 item pool measuring sexual coercion based on 5 types of tactics to coerce someone into sexual activity: manipulation and bribing, offering drinks or drugs, taking advantage of someone already intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, using threats of physical force, and the use of physical force. Results. Findings from this study revealed that a 5-item version of the sexual coercion scale has the best psychometric properties. The internal consistency of the scale is good. Furthermore, the item response theory analysis shows that most items were considered difficult and serious and that all items present a good discriminant power. Finally, the sexual coercion scale presents moderate-high correlations with almost all associated scales, indicating good convergent and concurrent validity.

This thesis explores and describes the relationship between emotional intelligence, job satisfaction and job self-efficacy. The sample was collected between 2007 and 2010 and consists of 1336 South Africans within the workplace. Trait emotional intelligence was assessed using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue), while job satisfaction and job self-efficacy were assessed from the biographical questions asked during the TEIQue assessment process. The first hypothesis investigated whether there is a statistically significant relationship between job satisfaction and trait emotional intelligence. A relationship was found that is statistically, but not practically, significant. The second hypothesis centred on the relationship between job self-efficacy and emotional intelligence, with statistically significant results (p<0.001), and a weaker relationship than the one found between job satisfaction and scores on the TEIQue. The third hypothesis, investigating a possible interaction effect between job satisfaction and job self-efficacy, was rejected. In addition to the study’s three hypotheses, exploratory IRT analysis was conducted on a section of the TEIQue items in order to further explore the functioning of the test within the South African context. Findings suggest that there is a relationship between the constructs within the study, but that this relationship is more complex than first assumed, being affected by issues such as social desirability and central tendency bias. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)