The main objective of this dissertation is the development of CUSUM procedures based on signed and unsigned sequential ranks. These CUSUMs can be applied to detect changes in the location or dispersion of a process. The signed and unsigned sequential rank CUSUMs are distribution-free and robust against the effect of outliers in the data. The only assumption that these CUSUMs require is that the in-control distribution is symmetric around a known location parameter. These procedures specifically do not require the existence of any higher order moments. Another advantage of these CUSUMs is that Monte Carlo simulation can readily be applied to deliver valid estimates of control limits, irrespective of what the underlying distribution may be. Other objectives of this dissertation include a brief discussion of the results and refinements of the CUSUM in the literature. We justify the use of a signed sequential rank statistic. Also, we evaluate the relative efficiency of the suggested procedure numerically and provide three real-world applications from the engineering and financial industries. / MSc (Risk Analysis), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The main objective of this dissertation is the development of CUSUM procedures based on signed and unsigned sequential ranks. These CUSUMs can be applied to detect changes in the location or dispersion of a process. The signed and unsigned sequential rank CUSUMs are distribution-free and robust against the effect of outliers in the data. The only assumption that these CUSUMs require is that the in-control distribution is symmetric around a known location parameter. These procedures specifically do not require the existence of any higher order moments. Another advantage of these CUSUMs is that Monte Carlo simulation can readily be applied to deliver valid estimates of control limits, irrespective of what the underlying distribution may be. Other objectives of this dissertation include a brief discussion of the results and refinements of the CUSUM in the literature. We justify the use of a signed sequential rank statistic. Also, we evaluate the relative efficiency of the suggested procedure numerically and provide three real-world applications from the engineering and financial industries. / MSc (Risk Analysis), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The maternal mortality rate in the USA is the highest in the industrialized world. Black women in the USA are three times more likely to die due to pregnancy and childbirth-related health issues than their white counterparts. According to 2017–2019 data from the CDC, 80% of these deaths are preventable.The purpose of this thesis is to understand how women’s bodily autonomy is both racialized and politicized. Key questions here are: What is the relationship between access to healthcare and reproductive rights? How are reproductive rights racialized? How is bodily autonomy racialized and politicized?This research is based on a literature review and a case study of the documentary Aftershock, released in July 2022. Aftershock charts the deaths of two young Black American women after they gave birth and shows how their partners and families stood together and became effective activists determined to fight the Black maternal mortality epidemic in the US, and thereby increase awareness and bring about change in society.