Resume The thesis is focused on the usage of statistical and substantive significance in the Czech social science. The thesis consists of four articles (3 published, 1 unpublished yet), introduction and conclusion including practical recommendations. The aim of the thesis is theoretically describe the current " standards" in the use of statistical and substantive significance and through research (content analysis) of articles published in the three leading Czech journals (Czechoslovak Psychology , Pedagogy and Czech Sociological Journal) empirically assess whether the published articles adhere to the " standards" in the field of statistics and the substantive significance of the results . Basic research question was: How are current " standards" followed in the use of statistical and substantive significance in the Czech social science production? In addition to the basic research questions were additional (auxiliary) research questions: What are the basic limits of statistical significance, i.e. in which cases statistical tests are not appropriate to use? What are the shortcomings of statistical significance itself, and what are the most common problems in the practical use of it by researchers? What are the alternatives to the concept of statistical significance? How is it possible to assess the...

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The primary objective of this study was to determine the socio-economic impact of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Secondly, to determine the relationship between the community's level of interest in the Tsitsikamma National Park (TNP) and their perceptions concerning the environmental, economic and social impacts of the TNP. By conducting a literature study, the first objective was achieved. The following tourism impacts were identified: environmental, economic and social. These impacts, both positive and negative, were measured by means of a questionnaire. The goal of the questionnaire was to measure the communities' perceptions concerning the Tsitsikamma National Park and its impact on the local economy. Based on this, the aspects that needed clarity were the economic (monetary) value of the TNP in terms of tourists and park management spending as well as the size of the multiplier effect. Furthermore, the residents' perceptions regarding the TNP were identified as well as the benefits received from the TNP. Three surveys were conducted to achieve the goal of this study: a community survey (among the local residents of Nature's Valley and Storms River Village) to measure the tourism impacts; a business survey (including penrnanent local businesses in and around the TNP), and a visitor survey (tourists visiting the TNP) to measure the economic impacts as a result of the TNP. A total of 299 questionnaires were completed of which 132 represented the community survey, 11 the business survey and 156 the visitors' survey. Firstly, partial multipliers were derived through a process of iteration to determine the economic impact of the Tsitsikamma National Park. The total impact of the Tsitsikamma National Park on the local economy resulted in total spending being R45 359 784, an output effect of R50 002793, and finally an income effect of R21 723 510. Therefore, it was found that the TNP has a positive economic impact. Secondly, effect sizes were calculated, which involved the difference in means to determine the relationships between tourism impacts and product interest from the communities' perspectives. It was found that residents who visit the TNP more often have a more positive attitude towards the Tt\IP, which is important for the sustainability of the TNP as well as building positive relationships with the community. The positive impacts due to TNP that were found can be divided into three categories. Firstly, environmental impacts included improving the appearance of the area, conservation of natural resources, sustainability of the natural environment, increased awareness of nature, improvement of knowledge and preservation of water areas for recreation purposes. Secondly, positive economic impacts included an increase in employment opportunities, more investors focused on development in the surrounding areas, business development and tourism is promoted and money spent by tourists stimulates the economy. Lastly the positive social impacts that were identified included opportunities to relax and the park provides opportunities for people to have fun with their families and friends. / Thesis (M.Com. (Tourism))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the socio-economic impact of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Secondly, to determine the relationship between the community's level of interest in the Tsitsikamma National Park (TNP) and their perceptions concerning the environmental, economic and social impacts of the TNP. By conducting a literature study, the first objective was achieved. The following tourism impacts were identified: environmental, economic and social. These impacts, both positive and negative, were measured by means of a questionnaire. The goal of the questionnaire was to measure the communities' perceptions concerning the Tsitsikamma National Park and its impact on the local economy. Based on this, the aspects that needed clarity were the economic (monetary) value of the TNP in terms of tourists and park management spending as well as the size of the multiplier effect. Furthermore, the residents' perceptions regarding the TNP were identified as well as the benefits received from the TNP. Three surveys were conducted to achieve the goal of this study: a community survey (among the local residents of Nature's Valley and Storms River Village) to measure the tourism impacts; a business survey (including penrnanent local businesses in and around the TNP), and a visitor survey (tourists visiting the TNP) to measure the economic impacts as a result of the TNP. A total of 299 questionnaires were completed of which 132 represented the community survey, 11 the business survey and 156 the visitors' survey. Firstly, partial multipliers were derived through a process of iteration to determine the economic impact of the Tsitsikamma National Park. The total impact of the Tsitsikamma National Park on the local economy resulted in total spending being R45 359 784, an output effect of R50 002793, and finally an income effect of R21 723 510. Therefore, it was found that the TNP has a positive economic impact. Secondly, effect sizes were calculated, which involved the difference in means to determine the relationships between tourism impacts and product interest from the communities' perspectives. It was found that residents who visit the TNP more often have a more positive attitude towards the Tt\IP, which is important for the sustainability of the TNP as well as building positive relationships with the community. The positive impacts due to TNP that were found can be divided into three categories. Firstly, environmental impacts included improving the appearance of the area, conservation of natural resources, sustainability of the natural environment, increased awareness of nature, improvement of knowledge and preservation of water areas for recreation purposes. Secondly, positive economic impacts included an increase in employment opportunities, more investors focused on development in the surrounding areas, business development and tourism is promoted and money spent by tourists stimulates the economy. Lastly the positive social impacts that were identified included opportunities to relax and the park provides opportunities for people to have fun with their families and friends. / Thesis (M.Com. (Tourism))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Traditional latent class analysis (LCA) considers entropy R2 as the only measure of effect size. However, entropy may not always be reliable, a low boundary is not agreed upon, and good separation is limited to values of greater than .80. As applications of LCA grow in popularity, it is imperative to use additional sources to quantify LCA classification accuracy. Greater classification accuracy helps to ensure that the profile of the latent classes reflect the profile of the true underlying subgroups. This Monte Carlo study compared the quantification of classification accuracy and confidence intervals of three effect sizes, entropy R2, I-index, and Cohen’s d. Study conditions included total sample size, number of dichotomous indicators, latent class membership probabilities (γ), conditional item-response probabilities (ρ), variance ratio, sample size ratio, and distribution types for a 2-class model. Overall, entropy R2 and I-index showed the best accuracy and standard error, along with the smallest confidence interval widths. Results showed that I-index only performed well for a few cases.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the use of effect sizes to report the results of statistical credit rating models in a more practical way. Rating systems in the form of statistical probability models like logistic regression models are used to forecast the behaviour of clients and guide business in rating clients as “high” or “low” risk borrowers. Therefore, model results were reported in terms of statistical significance as well as business language (practical significance), which business experts can understand and interpret. In this thesis, statistical results were expressed as effect sizes like Cohen‟s d that puts the results into standardised and measurable units, which can be reported practically. These effect sizes indicated strength of correlations between variables, contribution of variables to the odds of defaulting, the overall goodness-of-fit of the models and the models‟ discriminating ability between high and low risk customers. / Statistics / M. Sc. (Statistics)

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the use of effect sizes to report the results of statistical credit rating models in a more practical way. Rating systems in the form of statistical probability models like logistic regression models are used to forecast the behaviour of clients and guide business in rating clients as “high” or “low” risk borrowers. Therefore, model results were reported in terms of statistical significance as well as business language (practical significance), which business experts can understand and interpret. In this thesis, statistical results were expressed as effect sizes like Cohen‟s d that puts the results into standardised and measurable units, which can be reported practically. These effect sizes indicated strength of correlations between variables, contribution of variables to the odds of defaulting, the overall goodness-of-fit of the models and the models‟ discriminating ability between high and low risk customers. / Statistics / M. Sc. (Statistics)

Objective: Dog owners have been shown to walk more per week compared to non-dog owners; however, 60% of dog owners are still not walking their dogs at intensities sufficient to reap optimal health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a 9-week feasibility randomized controlled trial involving a program of six weekly scheduled instructor-led group dog walks supplemented with theory-based strategies to encourage increased dog walking among dog owners in Greater Victoria, BC. Methods: This study was based on the multi-process action control (M-PAC) framework and utilized an open parallel randomized controlled trial design involving experimental and waitlist-control group participants. Quantitative data was collected using pedometers and self-report measures. A program evaluation survey was administered upon the completion of the study. Primary outcomes examined the feasibility and acceptability of the program; secondary outcomes analyzed pedometry and self-report moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) data; and tertiary outcomes observed changes in participants’ perceptions of M-PAC constructs. Percentage calculations were used to obtain primary outcomes, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA; controlling for baseline) was performed to examine secondary and tertiary outcomes to explore the direction of effects and obtain a first estimate of expected effect sizes. Eligibility: Male and female adults aged 18+ living in Greater Victoria, BC, who owned at least one healthy and friendly dog aged six months and above, who were not meeting recommended guidelines of 150 minutes of MVPA per week, and who were medically cleared to participate. Results: Feasibility outcomes included 74 interested responses, 23% recruitment rate (n = 17), 94% retention rate (n = 16), and 94% adherence rate (n = 15). Program participants were overall (very) satisfied with the program – worksheets (62.5%), program instructor (100%), various program/group dog walks logistics (75% to 100%). Total weekly step counts and average daily step counts, MVPA dog walking, and MVPA with dog increased at the end of the program and at follow-up, resulting in large effect sizes when compared to the waitlist-control group. MVPA dog walking and total MVPA (with and without dog) exceeded recommended guidelines at follow-up. Positive changes across time were observed for dog responsibility and M-PAC constructs of affective judgments, opportunity, planning, identity, and habit, resulting in medium and large effect sizes when compared to the waitlist-control group. Conclusions: This six-week group dog walking program is overall feasible, acceptable, and efficacious in encouraging increased dog walking and MVPA among dog owners. Attendance at weekly scheduled instructor-led group dog walks and exposure to the M-PAC construct worksheets resulted in program participants’ adoption and maintenance of positive behavioral changes at the end of the program and at follow- up. Program participants reported enjoying the program and being (very) satisfied with it. It is recommended for future studies to refine/modify initial recruitment strategies and eligibility criteria, reimburse medical/veterinarian clearance costs to reduce cost-related barriers to participation, offer a variety of options for program delivery (e.g., different locations/schedules/seasons, online programs, multi-site study) to accommodate more participants, and apply the M-PAC framework to a larger sample. / Graduate

This diploma thesis focuses on the motivations of users to create an account within the location- based mobile dating applications. The work is processed by statistical analysis of already published studies dealing with the same or similar topics. The main target of this paper is to calculate the effect size of individual motives in relation to the sex of the respondents. The diploma thesis starts with description of the history of online dating, specific mobile applications included in my meta-analysis, user behavior in individual stages of using these applications (profile settings, selection of other profiles, communication and its development in time), followed by the methodological part where the meta-analysis itself is desribed, the process of its creation and its weak and strong aspects. In the following chapter the results of the meta-analysis and their interpretation are presented as well as self-reflection of this paper along the recommendations for future researches. Analysis helped to reveal the differences between the sexes and also helped to synthesize the acquired studies dealing with this topis. The most notable influence of gender can be seen in the motivation of casual sex, to a lesser extent in the motivation to seek love, friends, the use of the application because of the ease...