In active controlled clinical trials a possible objective is to test a non-inferiority hypothesis that the experimental treatment is therapeutically not inferior to the active control within a pre-defined margin. At the design stage, the misspecification of any design parameters (e.g., the variance or treatment difference for continuous endpoints, control event rate or non-inferiority margin for binary endpoints) can lead to study power below the desired level. Sample size re-estimation (SSR) procedures protect study power by allowing sample size re-estimation based on an interim analysis using revised estimates of the design parameters. For continuous endpoints, current approaches to SSR for non-inferiority trials focus on updating the sample size based solely on the estimated variance (blinded or unblinded) at the interim. The SSR using both sample variance and the observed treatment difference at interim in conditional power calculations is used in superiority trials. We have extended the methodology to non-inferiority trials, quantified the effect on the type I error rate, and proposed controlling it by modifying the critical value and/or stopping the trial at the interim for futility. For binary endpoints, current approaches to SSR for non-inferiority trials focus on estimating the event rates (blinded or unblinded) at the interim and update the sample size solely on the estimated event rates at the interim without updating the non-inferiority margin. A procedure that adapts both the absolute non-inferiority margin, and sample size based on the underlying interim observed pooled (blinded) event rate, and updates non-inferiority margin again at the final analysis based on the observed estimate of the event rate in control group at the end of the study is proposed. Our simulation results show the proposed adaptive procedures for extending a study by adding sample size, if necessary, preserve the overall type I error rate and maintain desired power. Combining sample size re-estimation methods with early stopping rules for continuous endpoints and adapting non-inferiority margins for binary endpoints could increase study flexibility, scope, and efficiency of non-inferiority trials. The proposed methodologies can be used for designing efficient two-stage non-inferiority trials with sample size re-estimation in active controlled non-inferiority clinical trials.

L’objectif de cette recherche est d’étudier l’incidence de la déficience visuelle sur l’estime de soi. Nous proposons une approche théorique de la théorie d’Alfred Adler « le complexe d’infériorité » afin d’étudier l’existence possible d’un complexe d’infériorité chez un malvoyant en raison de son infériorité organique. Grâce à l’approche de la psychologie interculturelle, cette recherche étudie les effets que la culture peut avoir sur l’estime de soi des malvoyants.Nous faisons l’hypothèse que la déficience visuelle a un effet négatif sur l’estime de soi, que les déficients visuels auraient un manque notable d’estime de soi, et que cela peut, parfois, se traduire par un complexe d’infériorité.Nous faisons également l’hypothèse que la variable culturelle représentée, en particulier, par les moyens qui favorisent l’autonomie et le regard de la société, joue un rôle important dans l’estime de soi des malvoyants.Les sujets de cette étude sont représentent 68 personnes malvoyantes et 112 personnes voyantes d’un âge moyen de 36 ans. L’Echelle Toulousaine de l’Estime de Soi a été utilisée pour mesurer l’estime de soi globale qui regroupe cinq domaines du soi.Les résultats révèlent un manque d’estime de soi chez les sujets malvoyants. Ils ne montrent pas de différences en ce qui concerne le sexe, ni la culture.Enfin, une approche clinique approfondie des études de cas confirme la théorie du complexe d’infériorité ; cette étude révèle, également, qu’un sentiment d’infériorité peut exister chez les malvoyants à cause de leur handicap. / The purpose of this research is to study the influence of visual impairment on the self-esteem. We propose a theoretical approach to the theory of Alfred Adler « the inferiority complex » in order to study the possible existence of an inferiority complex in the individuals with visual impairments because of their organic inferiority. In an approach to Cross-Cultural psychology, this research studies the effects which culture can have on the self-esteem of the visually impaired.Our hypothesis suggests that visual impairment has a negative effect on the self-esteem. That visually impaired would have a significant less self-esteem and that can, sometimes, to result in a inferiority complex. We also make the hypothesis that the cultural variable represented, in particular, by the means which support the autonomy and the glance of the society, plays an important role in self-esteem of the visually impaired.The subjects in this study consist of 68 visually impaired subjects and 112 subjects with normal vision (mean age = 36 years). The Toulouse Scale of Self-Esteem was used to measure the general self-esteem which gathers five fields of self-esteem.The results reveal a less self-esteem in blind subjects. They show no differences on this subject between the sexes, or between cultures. Finally, a clinical approach of clinical case study supports the theory of inferiority complex. It shows a feeling of inferiority that may exist among the visually impaired because of disability.

The present investigation was initiated in order to determine the relationship of responses to geometric designs to inferiority feelings and certain personality variables. The major problem was divided into the following sub-problems: 1. What is the relationship of responses to geometric designs to selected clinical scales on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory? (MMPI). 2. What is the relationship of responses to geometric designs to selected personality variables on the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule? (EPPS). 3. What is the relationship of responses to geometric designs to selected personality characteristics on the Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey? (G-Z).

According to Alfred Adler, founder of Individual Psychology, a feeling of inferiority is in some degree common to all people. People who are unable to overcome these inferiority feelings by striving for cooperation may become discouraged. Although there are three scales to measure social interest, no scales measuring discouragement for adults was found. Additionally, Adler held basic assumptions regarding homosexuality, and the findings suggest that the assumptions should be reexamined. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, three University of North Texas candidates developed a discouragement scale for adults 18 years of age and older, known as the Discouragement Scale for Adults (DSA). Discouragement was examined relative to the five life tasks. Second, this candidate normed the instrument for the scores of gay male subjects and compared it to the scores of the other subject groups. Since the emphasis was on developing the instrument and norming it for various subject groups, no hypothesis was developed. Data was collected on three subject groups, known as the general norm subjects, the discouraged subjects, and the gay male subjects. Analyses were performed on the scores. Among the analyses, it was found that gay male subjects were slightly more discouraged than the general norm subjects, and the discouraged subjects were far greater discouraged than the other two subject groups. Initial reliability and validity was found to be high, offering support that the DSA is a reliable and valid instrument. The recommendations for further research include cultural and gender studies, predicting behavior, counseling intervention, and exploring the relationship between discouragement and stressors, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

This thesis critically analyses music coverage in Maclean’s between 1967-1995, and reveals that the magazine continually stressed Canadian music as inferior to that produced by foreign artists. Only during times of intense nationalism were Canadian musicians positively received in its pages. More generally, domestic productions were seen as deficient. The historical components of this investigation reveal an essential irony in the perception of Canadian music during the last four decades of the 20th century. Despite nationalist rhetorics and Maclean's self-appointed title of "Canada's National Newsmagazine," its critics consistently emphasised that Canadian music was of poor quality in the 1967-1995 period.

This thesis critically analyses music coverage in Maclean’s between 1967-1995, and reveals that the magazine continually stressed Canadian music as inferior to that produced by foreign artists. Only during times of intense nationalism were Canadian musicians positively received in its pages. More generally, domestic productions were seen as deficient. The historical components of this investigation reveal an essential irony in the perception of Canadian music during the last four decades of the 20th century. Despite nationalist rhetorics and Maclean's self-appointed title of "Canada's National Newsmagazine," its critics consistently emphasised that Canadian music was of poor quality in the 1967-1995 period.

Tyrimo tikslas - nustatyti paauglių (10-11 klasių) menkavertiškumo jausmo ir agresyvaus elgesio sąsajas su tėvų taikomais auklėjimo stiliais. Tyrime dalyvavo 240 aukštesniųjų klasių mokinių (134 merginos ir 106 vaikinai). Tiriamųjų amžiaus vidurkis 17,27. Tyrimas buvo atliekamas Kauno rajono Babtų gimnazijoje ir Kaišiadorių Algirdo Brazausko vidurinėje mokykloje. Tyrimas atliktas taikant EMBU klausimyną (EMBU: Egna Minnen Betraffande Uppfostran, Arrindell, 1999; Arrindell et al., 1994), Lyginamojo menkavertiškumo jausmo indeksą (ang. Comparative Feeling of inferiority index. aut. Strano, Dixon, 1990), bei A. Buss ir A. Durkey metodiką (1957). Atlikus duomenų analizę nustatyta, kad menkavertiškumo jausmas ir agresyvus elgesys nėra susijęs su lytimi. Taip pat nenustatyta, kad paaugliai, kurie turi išreikštą menkavertiškumo jausmą pasižymi agresyviu elgesiu. Nustatyta, kad paaugliai vaikinai, kurie mamos auklėjimo stilių suvokia kaip atstūmimo ir perdėtos globos, pasižymi mažesniu menkavertiškumo jausmu. Merginos, kurios suvokia tėvų auklėjimo stilių kaip emocinės šilumos, turi labiau išreikštą menkavertiškumo jausmą. Vaikinai, pasižymintys mažesniu agresyviu elgesiu, yra linkę tėvo auklėjimo stilių suvokti kaip perdėtos globos. Paauglės merginos, kurios suvokia motinos auklėjantį stilių kaip atstumiantį ir perdėtos globos, pasižymi mažesniu agresyviu elgesiu. Paauglių merginų suvokiamas tėvo emocinės šilumos auklėjimo stilius, susijęs su didesniu agresyviu... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the thesis is to find a connection between the inferiority and aggressiveness of adolescents (forms 10-11) and the applied parenting styles. 240 students of senior forms (134 girls and 106 boys) took part in the research. The average age of the students under research is 17.27. The research was conducted at Kaunas Region Babtai Gymnasium and Kaišiadoriai Algirdas Brazauskas Middle School. The research was carried out by means of EMBU Questionnaire (EMBU: Egna Minnen Betraffande Uppfostran, Arrindell, 1999; Arrindell et al, 1994), Comparative Feeling of Inferiority Index, authors Strano, Dixon, 1990) and A. Buss - A. Durkee method (1957). It was established after the data analysis that the inferiority and aggressiveness are not connected with the sex. It was also found out that the adolescents with a pronounced inferiority are not marked by aggressiveness. It was established that with the youngsters boys who perceive their mothers’ style of rearing as parental rejection and overprotection have the less pronounced inferiority. The inferiority is more clearly pronounced with the girls, who take the parenting styles as emotional warmth. The boys marked by lesser aggressiveness are inclined to perceive their fathers’ style of rearing as overprotection. The girls perceiving their mothers’ style of rearing as parental rejection and overprotection are marked by lesser aggressiveness. The girls who take the style of rearing of their fathers as emotional warmth are marked by... [to full text]

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Dr. Thomas E. Joiner, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Psychology. Title and description from dissertation home page (Sept. 14, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 24 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Non-inferiority tests are well developed for randomized parallel group trials where the control and experimental groups are independent. However, these tests may not be appropriate for assessing non-inferiority in correlated one-to-many matched data. We propose a new statistical test that extends Farrington-Manning’s (FM) test to the case where many (≥1) control subjects are matched to each experimental subject. We conducted a Monte Carlo simulation study to compare the size and power of the proposed test with tests developed for clustered one-to-one matched pair data and tests based on generalized estimating equations (GEE). For various correlation patterns, the sizes of tests developed for clustered matched pair data and GEE-based tests are inflated when applied to the case where many control subjects are matched to each experimental subject. The size of the proposed test, on the other hand, is close to the nominal level for a variety of correlation patterns. There is a debate in the literature regarding whether or not statistical tests appropriate for independent samples can be used to assess the statistical significance of treatment effects in propensity-score matched studies. We used Monte Carlo simulations to examine the effect on assessing non-inferiority via risk difference when a method for independent samples (i.e. FM test) is used versus when a method for correlated matched samples is used in propensity-score one-to-many matched studies. If propensity-score matched samples are well-matched on baseline covariates and contain almost all of the experimental treated subjects, a method for correlated matched samples is preferable with respect to power and Type I error than a method for independent samples. Sometimes there are more experimental subjects to choose from for matching than control subjects. We conducted a Monte Carlo simulation study to compare the size and power of the previously mentioned tests when many (≥1) experimental subjects are matched to each control subject. In this case, the Nam-Kwon test for clustered data performs the best in controlling the type I error rate for a variety of correlation patterns. Therefore, the appropriate non-inferiority test to use for correlated matched data depends, in part, on the sample size allocation of subjects.

This master thesis deals with topics related to the task whether customers are able to recognize a difference between products. First, testing of equivalence and non-inferiority is discussed in detail. It is an important tool when verifying that two products are equivalent or that a new product is not substantially worse than a current product. Afterwards, Thurstone's approach is introduced as a way to evaluate the impact of a stimulus on human senses. Subsequently, using the previous chapters, there is a detailed discussion dealing with three standards wi- dely used in practice in the case when someone needs to apply sensory evaluation to verify whether customers are able to recognize a difference between products. In particular, these are duo-trio, triangle and paired comparison tests. There is a thorough explanation of their statistical base and the tests are compared accor- ding to their power. Furthermore, an approach based on the Thurstone's theory is introduced as an alternative to the standard methods. Moreover, this thesis introduces Saaty's approach to the estimation of a priority vector, which is a useful tool to compare, to order or to choose the best one from n objects. We also introduce another approach to estimation of a priority vector which is based on Saaty's idea. 1