published_or_final_version / Applied Statistics / Master / Master of Social Sciences

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A forest inventory was made by a two-man team in the Emory oak (Quercus emoryi) woodlands, near the Huachuca Mountains, in southeastern Arizona. Two plot sizes, 1/10th, and 1/25th hectare, and three basal area factors, 2, 4 and 6 (square meters per hectare) were used. Tree tally time was recorded, but the travelling time between plots was not recorded. Total number of trees, total basal area, and total volume of trees per hectare were measured, summarized, and analyzed. Significant differences were noted between plot sampling and point sampling. Results suggested that with plot sampling, 1/25th hectare plot was more efficient than 1/10th hectare plot for all measures of forest densities. With point sampling, basal area factor 6 had the highest relative sampling efficiency in terms of trees per hectare. Basal area factor 2 had the highest relative sampling efficiency in terms of basal area and volume per hectare. From this information, more efficient forest inventories of the Emory oak woodlands can be designed.

Efficient allocation of scarce resources to health programs involves measuring the economic benefits of life saving and/or improvement in health status. While several attempts have been made to quantify individual preferences for life, only a few, if any, have attempted to measure individual preferences for quality of life. In this thesis, we develop a methodology based on the estimation of individual preference functions to arrive at monetary measures of the value of marginal improvements in health status. / The first chapter reviews conventional methodologies for estimating the value of human life, and points out many theoretical and empirical propositions related to our own concerns. The second chapter analyzes various procedures used to quantify variations in health status. We distinguish non-monetary procedures, which combine recent psychometric techniques and research on health level scaling to obtain estimates of the relative desirability of a state of health, and monetary procedures which, we conclude, still need to be developed. / The third chapter presents a new methodology based on the direct estimation of bivariate welfare function of income and level of health. The theoretical basis of our approach and the data source are described in this chapter. Various functional forms were tried but we have finally retained the log-normal specification to derive estimates of the monetary value of a marginal change in the state of health for different subgroups of individuals. / We conclude with critical discussion of our results. Some improvements over the approach used are suggested in the fifth chapter.

As características organizacionais e o nível de efetividade dos processos gerenciais são algumas das variáveis que determinam a eficiência do funcionamento de uma empresa. Se existem lacunas nestes aspectos, a empresa terá dificuldades em executar suas atividades de forma competente. Devido à importância da estrutura organizacional no desempenho das empresas, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo apresentar uma análise das características organizacionais e dos principais processos de negócio de empresas de construção civil, de cinco diferentes setores de atividade, localizadas na região de Curitiba, no Estado do Paraná. Para tanto foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa aplicada, descritiva e de natureza quantitativa. O Método Survey foi escolhido como procedimento principal para este estudo, permitindo a obtenção de dados primários de forma sistematizada. Os dados foram analisados por intermédio da estatística descritiva e inferencial, com a aplicação de técnicas multivariadas de análise fatorial, análise discriminante e análise de clusters. De forma geral, observa-se que a estrutura organizacional destas empresas é caracterizada pelo atraso do tradicionalismo do setor, em que predomina a existência de organizações hierarquizadas, com alto nível de centralização, baixo investimento na qualificação dos funcionários e pouca preocupação com os impactos ambientais. Por outro lado, em função do dinamismo do mercado, estas empresas procuram investir em novas tecnologias e diferentes formas de organização como meio de superar suas deficiências, buscar a competitividade e a preferência dos clientes. Os resultados da pesquisa indicam ainda não existirem diferenças significativas nas características organizacionais e no nível de efetividade de processos entre os setores avaliados. / The organizational characteristics and the level of effectivity of management processes are some of the variables that determine the efficiency of running a company. If there are gaps in these aspects, the company will have difficulties in performing its activities competently. Due to the importance of organizational structure on company’s performance, this research aims to present an analysis of the organizational characteristics and the principal management processes of construction companies, of five different sectors of activity, located in the region of Curitiba, in the state of Paraná. Therefore and applied, descriptive and quantitative research was developed. The Survey Method was chosen as the basic procedure for this study, allowing the obtaining of primary data systematically. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with the application of multivariate techniques of factorial analysis, discriminant analysis and cluster analysis. In general, it is observed that these companies are characterized by the delayed traditionalism of the sector, which predominates the existence of hierarchical structures with a high level of centralization, low investment in the training of staff and little concern for environmental impacts. On the other hand, due to the market dynamism, companies seek to invest in new technologies and different forms of management as a way to overcome its shortcomings, seek competitiveness and customer preference. The research results indicate that there is no significant differences in the organizational characteristics and in the level of development processes among the evaluated sectors.

As características organizacionais e o nível de efetividade dos processos gerenciais são algumas das variáveis que determinam a eficiência do funcionamento de uma empresa. Se existem lacunas nestes aspectos, a empresa terá dificuldades em executar suas atividades de forma competente. Devido à importância da estrutura organizacional no desempenho das empresas, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo apresentar uma análise das características organizacionais e dos principais processos de negócio de empresas de construção civil, de cinco diferentes setores de atividade, localizadas na região de Curitiba, no Estado do Paraná. Para tanto foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa aplicada, descritiva e de natureza quantitativa. O Método Survey foi escolhido como procedimento principal para este estudo, permitindo a obtenção de dados primários de forma sistematizada. Os dados foram analisados por intermédio da estatística descritiva e inferencial, com a aplicação de técnicas multivariadas de análise fatorial, análise discriminante e análise de clusters. De forma geral, observa-se que a estrutura organizacional destas empresas é caracterizada pelo atraso do tradicionalismo do setor, em que predomina a existência de organizações hierarquizadas, com alto nível de centralização, baixo investimento na qualificação dos funcionários e pouca preocupação com os impactos ambientais. Por outro lado, em função do dinamismo do mercado, estas empresas procuram investir em novas tecnologias e diferentes formas de organização como meio de superar suas deficiências, buscar a competitividade e a preferência dos clientes. Os resultados da pesquisa indicam ainda não existirem diferenças significativas nas características organizacionais e no nível de efetividade de processos entre os setores avaliados. / The organizational characteristics and the level of effectivity of management processes are some of the variables that determine the efficiency of running a company. If there are gaps in these aspects, the company will have difficulties in performing its activities competently. Due to the importance of organizational structure on company’s performance, this research aims to present an analysis of the organizational characteristics and the principal management processes of construction companies, of five different sectors of activity, located in the region of Curitiba, in the state of Paraná. Therefore and applied, descriptive and quantitative research was developed. The Survey Method was chosen as the basic procedure for this study, allowing the obtaining of primary data systematically. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with the application of multivariate techniques of factorial analysis, discriminant analysis and cluster analysis. In general, it is observed that these companies are characterized by the delayed traditionalism of the sector, which predominates the existence of hierarchical structures with a high level of centralization, low investment in the training of staff and little concern for environmental impacts. On the other hand, due to the market dynamism, companies seek to invest in new technologies and different forms of management as a way to overcome its shortcomings, seek competitiveness and customer preference. The research results indicate that there is no significant differences in the organizational characteristics and in the level of development processes among the evaluated sectors.

Non-response is an error common to most surveys. In this dissertation, the error of non-response is described in terms of its sources and its contribution to the Mean Square Error of survey estimates. Various response and completion rates are defined. Techniques are examined that can be used to identify the extent of nonresponse bias in surveys. Methods to identify auxiliary variables for use in nonresponse adjustment procedures are described. Strategies for dealing with nonresponse are classified into two types, namely preventive strategies and post hoc adjustments of data. Preventive strategies discussed include the use of call-backs and follow-ups and the selection of a probability sub-sample of non-respondents for intensive follow-ups. Post hoc adjustments discussed include population and sample weighting adjustments and raking ratio estimation to compensate for unit non-response as well as various imputation methods to compensate for item non-response. / Mathematical Sciences / M. Com. (Statistics)

Non-response is an error common to most surveys. In this dissertation, the error of non-response is described in terms of its sources and its contribution to the Mean Square Error of survey estimates. Various response and completion rates are defined. Techniques are examined that can be used to identify the extent of nonresponse bias in surveys. Methods to identify auxiliary variables for use in nonresponse adjustment procedures are described. Strategies for dealing with nonresponse are classified into two types, namely preventive strategies and post hoc adjustments of data. Preventive strategies discussed include the use of call-backs and follow-ups and the selection of a probability sub-sample of non-respondents for intensive follow-ups. Post hoc adjustments discussed include population and sample weighting adjustments and raking ratio estimation to compensate for unit non-response as well as various imputation methods to compensate for item non-response. / Mathematical Sciences / M. Com. (Statistics)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Background: Online courses in healthcare programs like Dietetics have increased in availability and popularity. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the connections between online learning environments and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) dimensions among Nutrition Professionals. This research will add to the knowledge base of educators responsible for the design and development of online nutrition courses and will enhance Nutrition Professionals’ academic and professional outcomes. Design: Semi-experimental study design. Subjects/Setting: Thirty-one Nutrition Professionals with mean age of 29 years old. All elements of the study were done online. Statistical Analysis: MBTI dimension summaries were done for descriptive statistics. Fisher’s Exact Test was used to compare frequency of MBTI dimensions in the learning modules (LM) and to analyze learning modality preference based on MBTI dimensions. Two-Sample T-Tests compared test scores for LM groups and test scores for extraverts and introverts. Paired T-Test assessed improvement in test scores related to LM preference. Chi-Square Test compared preferences for the second learning module for both LM groups. Results: The majority of participants’ MBTIs were ESFJ at 35% or ISFJ at 19%. There were more extraverts (71%) compared to introverts (29%). Both LM groups had similar MBTI dimensions. Extraverts and introverts had similar improvements in scores and LM preferences. LM groups performed similarly and in general participants preferred the second learning module they were assigned. Preference for the second LM could be because participants enjoyed the first LM and wanted to learn more information. Both LM groups significantly improved their scores (P=<.0001) in their first and second learning modules regardless of learning module design. Participants were highly motivated to learn as evidenced by their enrollment in this study and completion of 10 hours of learning modules. Motivation to learn may have been the strongest reason performance significantly improved. Conclusion: LM groups significantly improved their LM scores and learned similar amounts. MBTI dimensions extravert and introvert and preferred learning modality had limited impact on performance for this sample of Nutrition Professionals. These results indicate that motivation may be the key to increasing performance in online nutrition courses.