scholarly journals Explaining classification performance and bias via network structure and sampling technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisette Espín-Noboa ◽  
Fariba Karimi ◽  
Bruno Ribeiro ◽  
Kristina Lerman ◽  
Claudia Wagner

AbstractSocial networks are very important carriers of information. For instance, the political leaning of our friends can serve as a proxy to identify our own political preferences. This explanatory power is leveraged in many scenarios ranging from business decision-making to scientific research to infer missing attributes using machine learning. However, factors affecting the performance and the direction of bias of these algorithms are not well understood. To this end, we systematically study how structural properties of the network and the training sample influence the results of collective classification. Our main findings show that (i) mean classification performance can empirically and analytically be predicted by structural properties such as homophily, class balance, edge density and sample size, (ii) small training samples are enough for heterophilic networks to achieve high and unbiased classification performance, even with imperfect model estimates, (iii) homophilic networks are more prone to bias issues and low performance when group size differences increase, (iv) when sampling budgets are small, partial crawls achieve the most accurate model estimates, and degree sampling achieves the highest overall performance. Our findings help practitioners to better understand and evaluate their results when sampling budgets are small or when no ground-truth is available.

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Hasman Abdul Manan ◽  
Shahira Ariffin ◽  
Tengku Sharifeleani Ratul Maknu ◽  
Irwan Ibrahim ◽  
Harlina Suzana Jaafar

The significant shifts in urbanites’ lifestyles have been the catalyst behind the increased in the consumption of foreign foods and beverages in Malaysia; particularly those made in western nations. Notably, Malaysia’s total import for food had risen significantly from RM26.7 billion in 2009 to RM42.6 billion and RM 45.4 billion, in 2014 and 2015 respectively. These days, urban Malaysian Malays are being inundated with various foreign Halal food products in local markets however, these can also leave them in a rather risky circumstance as the likelihood that some of these foreign food products are not suitable (i.e. Haram) for their consumptions, is relatively high. Halal food issues (namely those foods originated from non-Muslim countries) have created lots of anxieties within the Malaysian Malays’ society. Hence, this study aims to examine factors affecting willingness to accept foreign Halal foods by urban Malaysian Malays. Convenience sampling technique was used to obtain responses from 450 urban Malaysian Malays in designated areas within the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley region. The results demonstrated urban Malaysian Malays willingness to accept foreign Halal foods were significantly affected by trust but displayed no relationships with subjective knowledge and attitude. Also, the insignificant attitude- willingness relationship signified the presence of the attitude-behavior gap. The study’s outcomes may perhaps offer new understandings on urban Malaysian Malay markets particularly for global brand owners and marketers.


Author(s):  
Bernardina Algieri ◽  
Arturo Leccadito

Abstract This study presents a set of integer-valued generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic models to identify possible transmission channels of joint extreme price moves (coexceedances) across a group of agricultural commodities. These models are very useful to identify factors affecting joint tail events and they are superior in terms of goodness of fit to models without autoregressive components. Emerging market demand, crude oil, exchange rate, stock market conditions and credit spread explain extreme joint returns. Psychological factors and the Monday effect play a role in affecting extreme events, while weather anomalies (El Niño and La Niña episodes) do not have explanatory power.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-58
Author(s):  
Nilufar Yeasmin Nili

Background and objectives: Maternal as well as infant mortality is high in Bangladesh. Utilization of post natal care (PNC) services is important to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Considering this matter, this study attempted to find out the level of PNC utilization by women living in slum areas of Dhaka city as well as to identify the factors associated with the utilization of PNC services. Methods: This study was conducted in Khilgaon and Rampura slums of Dhaka city. In each slum, women aged between 15-49 years who had given birth to at least one child were enrolled in the study by random sampling technique. Participants were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire which included information on socio-economic, demographic, cultural status as well as information on PNC service utilization. Results: Out of total 360 enrolled women in both slums, 58.6% utilized PNC services. The rate of utilization of PNC services was 55% and 62.2% in Khilgaon and Rampura slum respectively. Compared to 40-49 years age group, significantly (p<0.01) higher percentage of women aged <20, 20-29 and 30-39 years utilized PNC services (69.6%, 67.0% and 56.4% respectively). The significant associates of receiver of PNC were respondent’s education, number of antenatal care (ANC) received, level of tetanus vaccination, place of delivery, distance between home and clinic, mass media exposure, male participation and autonomy. Conclusion: Local socioeconomic and cultural aspects should be considered while planning intervention program to improve the utilization of PNC service. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2019; 13(2): 53-58


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Zafar Mahmudul Haq

The impact of extension contact on crop income is examined with a view to evaluating the agricultural extension in Bangladesh. The scope of the study was ten villages of Gazipur district. The objectives of the study are to i) determine the factors influencing the benefit of extension services in terms of farm income, ii) determine the factors affecting the extension contact of farmers, and iii) suggest some policy guidelines to improve the extension services in Bangladesh. The sample of the study consists of 1000 farmers. Data came from field survey and multistage random sampling technique was used in order to collect data. The results indicated that the impact of extension contact coefficient on crop income is positive and significant. Evidence shows that the influence of extension contact coefficient is strongly positive and significant in the comparatively nearer villages to upazila headquarters, while this effect is weaker for those villages, which are comparatively away from upazila headquarters. It is found that many farmers did not receive extension contact and the effect of extension contact is weak on crop income compared to other factors such as irrigation and chemical fertilizer. It is assumed that there was enough scope to increase extension contact in the study areas. Some determinants of extension contact were also examined. The study concludes that agricultural extension is necessary to increase among the farmers. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(2): 321-334, June 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i2.15893


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e051277
Author(s):  
Jinghan Qu ◽  
Wei Zuo ◽  
Shaohong Wang ◽  
Liping Du ◽  
Xin Liu ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo evaluate pharmacists’ knowledge, perceptions and practices towards generic substitution in the 11 pilot locations in China.DesignAn online cross-sectional survey using questionnaires was conducted. A convenience sampling technique was implemented to recruit pharmacists.Setting and participantsThe study took place in medical institutions of 11 pilot locations that participated in the pilot national centralised procurement programme in 2019. Two thousand two hundred and ninety-one pharmacists including hospital pharmacists or community pharmacists based on health-systems or clinics participated in the study.ResultsMost of the participants had the good knowledge of requirements for evaluating the quality and efficacy of generic drugs (n=2118; 92.4%), and the definition of generic drugs (n=2078; 90.7%). In terms of perceptions, 67.3% of respondents were of the opinion that generic drugs are equally as effective as the brand-name drugs, and 69.0% of respondents were of the opinion that generic drugs are as safe as brand equivalents. A high percentage of participants supported the policy of generic substitution (n=1634; 71.4%). A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between total knowledge score and total perception score (ρ=0.267; p<0.001). Efficacy, safety and the direction of national policies and hospital regulations were the main factors affecting pharmacists’ willingness to dispense generic drugs.ConclusionsThe study identified gaps in respondents’ knowledge and perceptions of generic substitution. Pharmacists who are more knowledgeable in generic drugs tend to hold a more supportive attitude towards generic substitution. Although it appeared that pharmacists in China have largely accepted generic substitution, they still have concerns regarding the reliability and quality of generic drugs. The current issues need to be addressed for the realisation of the true value of generic drugs as part of the country’s healthcare cost-containment strategy as well as the implementation of generic substitution policy in China.


Author(s):  
Chinta Durga Kumar ◽  
Venkata Suresh Anga

Background: Eye is one of the most vital organs of human body. Any abnormality in the eye can impair vision and make the person handicapped for life. The school children form a special group because they are most vulnerable to the effects of reduced vision and its impact on learning capability and educational potential. The objective of the study was to find out the factors affecting vision of secondary school children, to suggest preventive and remedial measures for defective vision.Methods: It was a cross sectional study. School children of Zilla Parishad secondary high school during November 2016 to December 2016 were studied. A pretested semi structured questionnaire was administered. A total of 320 students were included in the study by using convenient sampling technique. Data was entered in Microsoft excel sheet and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results were expressed as proportions for different study variables.Results: Out of the 320 students, majority 181 (56.56%) of study participants were girls. The highest number of students (49.38%) was between 12-13 years of age group. Prevalence of defective vision is 34%. Family history is present in 29% of the study population. 34% of children with defective vision, it was detected by their mother.Conclusions: Refractive errors are more in girls. Children and parents should be educated regarding ocular hygiene and early correction of refractive errors.


Author(s):  
Afodu Osagie John ◽  
Shobo Bolatito Adenike ◽  
Ayo-Bello Taofeek Ayodeji ◽  
Abasilim Chinwe Frances

Broiler birds are widely praised for its palatability and nutritious values which are mainly for meat purpose, and also serves as source of income to many households in Nigeria. The broiler industry is faced with high cost of production thereby reducing the farmers profit. The study was conducted in three Geopolitical zones in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was adopted for this study for the selection of 540 broilers farmers out which 392 returned a well filled questionnaire where data were extracted for the study. Data for this study were analysed using descriptive (frequency and percent) budgetary analysis and inferential (Logit regression) statistics. Factors affecting the profit level of broiler farmers were age (γ1= -0.145, p= 10%), households size (γ3= -5.477, p=10%), educational status of the farmers (γ4= 0.228, p= 5%), number of birds (γ7= 0.575, p= 5%), cost of feed (γ8= -1.022, p= 1%), cost of water (γ9= -1.277, p= 1%), cost of drugs (γ10= -1.640, p= 5%) and cost of chick (γ11= -7.104, p= 1%). Young people should be encouraged to be involved in production of broiler, since agriculture has aging population and help in employment creation. Farmers should maintain a low number of households so as to increase their profit. The farmers should have some forms of education on the production of broilers so as to enhance their profit.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Destia Pentiana ◽  
Evi Yuniarti

The purpose of this research was to determine the factors that influence the level of sales “toko kelontong” on Sukarame Bandar Lampung. Methods of data collection was done by a list of questions (questionnaire), interviews, observation, documentation. And using a sampling technique that uses accidental sampling technique for sampling in 40 respondence. the results showed factors affecting sales are price factor, product quality, competition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 531-540
Author(s):  
Nusrat Nawaz Abbasi ◽  
Masood Ahmad ◽  
Muhammad Javed ◽  
Sabiha Iqbal

The study was designed to analyze the teachers’ strategies for motivating students in classroom. The objectives of the study were; to find out the techniques of motivation for students learning achievement; to explore the students’ views about motivation; to evaluate the students’ views regarding teachers’ teaching style; to find out gender wise significance difference. The study was design for Bahawal Nagar district, so Bahawal Nagar were the population of the study. Stratified sampling technique was used to select sample. One hundred and thirty two (132) students were selected from selected schools in which 66 schools were male and 66 female. Self-constructed instrument on 4 point Likert scale was used to collect data. The major findings of the study were teachers motivate the students at primary level by adopting different techniques and strategies. The teachers’ behaviour, personality, teaching methodology and school environment are also factors affecting the students’ learning process. Immediate appreciation, rewards, punishment, reinforcement and encouragement play a vital role for motivating the students. It was also found that female teachers were used more motivational strategies to motivate the students in classroom as compared to male teachers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uliyatul Laili

Analysis of factors Affecting The Participant Pregnant Women Gymnactics in BPS Nina Surabaya. Pregnant women should get treatment during pregnancy. Treatment during pregnancy or antenatal care can be done via examination of pregnancy, pregnancy exercise, nutrition and other compliance requirements. Pregnancy exercise is an exercise undertaken to prepare and train the muscles so that it can be used to function optimally in a normal delivery.This study uses an analytical method with cross sectional design prospective. Sampling using total sampling technique. The independent variable is education, parity and maternal knowledge, while the dependent variable is exclusive breastfeeding. Data were analyzed using chi square test.The results showed a correlation between age and support of husband / family with the participation of pregnant women during pregnancy exercise with a p-value of <0.05, whereas for education and parity are not related to the participation of pregnant women against pregnancy exercise with a value of p>0.05.The conclusions of this study are the factors that influence the participation of pregnant women during pregnancy exercise is aged and the support of husband / family.


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