Measurement and Analysis of Less Structured Data in Housing Research

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-65
Author(s):  
Henny Coolen
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Structured Data ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Ideal Types ◽  
Category System ◽  
Measurement And Analysis ◽  
Housing Research ◽  
The Difference

Two ideal types of data can be distinguished in housing research: structured and less-structured data. Questionnaires and official statistics are examples of structured data, while less-structured data arise for instance from open interviews and documents. Structured data are sometimes labelled quantitative, while less-structured data are called qualitative. In this paper structured and less-structured data are considered from the perspective of measurement and analysis. Structured data arise when the researcher has an a priori category system or measurement scale available for collecting the data. When such an a priori system or scale is not available the data are called less-structured. It will be argued that these less-structured observations can only be used for any further analysis when they contain some minimum level of structure called a category system, which is equivalent to a nominal measurement scale. Once this becomes evident, one realizes that through the necessary process of categorization less-structured data can be analyzed in much the same way as structured data, and that the difference between the two types of data is one of degree and not of kind. In the second part of the paper these ideas are illustrated with examples from my own research on the meaning of preferences for dwelling features in which the concept of a meaning structure plays a central part. Until now these meaning structures have been determined by means of semi-structured interviews which, even with small samples, result in large amounts of less-structured data.

scholarly journals The mechanism of the initiation and propagation of detonation in solid explosives

1932 ◽  
Vol 138 (834) ◽  
pp. 92-116 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
High Explosive ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Weight Of Evidence ◽  
Theoretical Treatment ◽  
Mechanical Shock ◽  
Initiation And Propagation ◽  
Solid Explosives ◽  
Velocity Of Propagation ◽  
The Difference

Although half a century has elapsed since the publication of the classical treatise of Berthelot upon explosives, the detailed mechanism of the initiation and propagation of detonation in liquid and solid explosives is still obscure. Detonation is a phenomenon exhibiting a number of specific characteristics which differentiate it quite definitely from the explosive combustions of such substances as gunpowder and cordite. It is well known that the latter are governed by laws relating the rate of reaction to the surface area, the temperature and pressure of the surrounding gases, etc., and that heat is the chief medium of initiation and propagation, whereas in the case of detonation, the reaction wave-front travels directly through the explosive medium in the same sense as does a sound wave, and the velocity of propagation is a very definite characteristic of the phenomenon. This stability of the detonation velocity is well demonstrated for solid explosives by the photographs in a recent paper by E. Jones ; the speeds are usually much greater than any exhibited by explosive combustions, and range from 1500 to 10,000 metres per second. Finally, the initiation and propagation of detonation appear to be associated much more intimately with mechanical shock than with flame. The weight of evidence strongly indicates that the difference between detonation and explosive combustion is fundamental and not merely of degree, and the term “high explosive” is reserved for substances capable of the former property. The theoretical treatment of detonation as a shock wave traversing the medium and maintained by the accompanying chemical reactions has been developed by several investigators. These writers have built up a quantitative theory from thermodynamical reasoning and have been able to calculate velocities of propagation, which in some cases are correct, but in practice it has been found that the thermodynamical conditions, while necessary, are not sufficient. Thus, a great number of compositions possessing all the thermodynamical qualifications of a high explosive cannot be made to detonate; others permit detonation to be initiated successfully but without propagation, and the reaction degenerates into a mere deflagration, or even dies out completely. It is indeed very difficult to judge whether a particular composition is a true detonating explosive without the opportunity to test the sample in reasonable quantity. The violent decompositions of small samples or single crystals furnishes no a priori evidence of detonation, and innumerable examples may be quoted of such material in bulk being unable to propagate the local and violent initial activity.

Career transition consultants’ perceived roles

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 683-702
Author(s):  
Emilie Hennequin ◽  
Bérangère Condomines ◽  
Nouchka Wielhorski
Keyword(s):  
Common Ground ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Career Transition ◽  
Psychological Support ◽  
Transition Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ideal Types ◽  
Career Plan ◽  
Start Up

Purpose Employment transitions are an integral part of an individual’s career path. However, not every individual can cope with these changes. Some may not know how to mobilise their capacities in order to return to work. Consequently, various countries have devised policies aimed at supporting the unemployed, in programmes that are led by consultants. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of career transition consultants who work for a private consulting firm. It examines how consultants perceive their role and how these perceptions influence the support they provide to beneficiaries. Design/methodology/approach In total, 20 French career transition consultants took part in the interviews. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews. Findings Ideal types of career consultants were drawn up, based on the distinction between the agent model and the community model. Depending on their perceived role, consultants set up different career transition strategies and develop different capacities among their beneficiaries. Research limitations/implications Consultants advocate for flexible support for people seeking employment. This research aims to question the policy of distributing beneficiaries among consultants’ portfolios. In France, the approach is made without considering the beneficiary’s profile. A better approach would be to find common ground between the consultant’s profile and the beneficiary’s expectations (e.g. help with business start-up, a career plan, or psychological support). Further, the differentiation of profiles and practices opens up other research opportunities (in corporate coaching, tutoring, and vocational guidance). Practical implications From a managerial point of view, this research questions the policy of distribution of the beneficiaries in consultants’ portfolios. Indeed, in France, the approach is made a priori (without exact knowledge of the beneficiary’s profile). Yet, it seems that the approach would be more effective if consulting firms looked for common ground between the consultant’s profile and the beneficiary’s specific expectation (e.g. help with a new business start-up, the creation of a career plan, or a specific need for psychological support). Originality/value This research investigates a little known and important fact in career transition management: the heterogeneous nature of consultancy service and the capacities consultants highlight as being helpful to beneficiaries in career transition.

Applying the Anderson-Darling Test to Suicide Clusters

Crisis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 434-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald W. MacKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Poisson Process ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ◽  
Homogeneous Poisson Process ◽  
Cornell University ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Suicide Clusters ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Anderson Darling

Background: Suicide clusters at Cornell University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) prompted popular and expert speculation of suicide contagion. However, some clustering is to be expected in any random process. Aim: This work tested whether suicide clusters at these two universities differed significantly from those expected under a homogeneous Poisson process, in which suicides occur randomly and independently of one another. Method: Suicide dates were collected for MIT and Cornell for 1990–2012. The Anderson-Darling statistic was used to test the goodness-of-fit of the intervals between suicides to distribution expected under the Poisson process. Results: Suicides at MIT were consistent with the homogeneous Poisson process, while those at Cornell showed clustering inconsistent with such a process (p = .05). Conclusions: The Anderson-Darling test provides a statistically powerful means to identify suicide clustering in small samples. Practitioners can use this method to test for clustering in relevant communities. The difference in clustering behavior between the two institutions suggests that more institutions should be studied to determine the prevalence of suicide clustering in universities and its causes.

Method for measuring distortions of a speech signal during its transmission over a communication channel to a biometric identification system

2020 ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
V. V. Savchenko ◽  
A. V. Savchenko
Keyword(s):  
Speech Signal ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Speaker Identification ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Identification System ◽  
New Information ◽  
Discrimination Criterion ◽  
A Priori Uncertainty

This paper is devoted to the presence of distortions in a speech signal transmitted over a communication channel to a biometric system during voice-based remote identification. We propose to preliminary correct the frequency spectrum of the received signal based on the pre-distortion principle. Taking into account a priori uncertainty, a new information indicator of speech signal distortions and a method for measuring it in conditions of small samples of observations are proposed. An example of fast practical implementation of the method based on a parametric spectral analysis algorithm is considered. Experimental results of our approach are provided for three different versions of communication channel. It is shown that the usage of the proposed method makes it possible to transform the initially distorted speech signal into compliance on the registered voice template by using acceptable information discrimination criterion. It is demonstrated that our approach may be used in existing biometric systems and technologies of speaker identification.

On Fourier Series in Eigenfunctions of Elliptic Boundary Value Problems

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-410
Author(s):  
M. S. Agranovich ◽  
B. A. Amosov
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Series ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Fourier Coefficients ◽  
Elliptic Boundary ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Adjoint Problem ◽  
Elliptic Boundary Value ◽  
Right Hand ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Right

Abstract We consider a general elliptic formally self-adjoint problem in a bounded domain with homogeneous boundary conditions under the assumption that the boundary and coefficients are infinitely smooth. The operator in 𝐿2(Ω) corresponding to this problem has an orthonormal basis {𝑢𝑙} of eigenfunctions, which are infinitely smooth in . However, the system {𝑢𝑙} is not a basis in Sobolev spaces 𝐻𝑡 (Ω) of high order. We note and discuss the following possibility: for an arbitrarily large 𝑡, for each function 𝑢 ∈ 𝐻𝑡 (Ω) one can explicitly construct a function 𝑢0 ∈ 𝐻𝑡 (Ω) such that the Fourier series of the difference 𝑢 – 𝑢0 in the functions 𝑢𝑙 converges to this difference in 𝐻𝑡 (Ω). Moreover, the function 𝑢(𝑥) is viewed as a solution of the corresponding nonhomogeneous elliptic problem and is not assumed to be known a priori; only the right-hand sides of the elliptic equation and the boundary conditions for 𝑢 are assumed to be given. These data are also sufficient for the computation of the Fourier coefficients of 𝑢 – 𝑢0. The function 𝑢0 is obtained by applying some linear operator to these right-hand sides.

scholarly journals Introduction and feeding practices of solid food in preterm infants born in Salzburg!

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edda Hofstätter ◽  
Verena Köttstorfer ◽  
Patricia Stroicz ◽  
Sebastian Schütz ◽  
Lorenz Auer-Hackenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Term Infants ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Background It is shown that meeting the increased nutritional demand of preterm infants from birth is not only important for survival but essentially contributes to the infants` overall development and long-term health. While there are established guidelines for weaning term infants, evidence regarding preterm infants is scarce and less precise. The aim of this study was to identify the current practices on introducing solids to preterm infants amongst caregivers in Salzburg and determine potential reasons for early weaning. Methods Altogether 68 infants born between 24 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks were recruited and detailed structured interviews with the caregivers were conducted at 17 weeks corrected age. Weight, height and head circumference were collected. Results 52% of the study group received solids before the recommended 17 weeks corrected age. For this group the mean age being 13.77 ± 1.11 weeks corrected age. Premature introduction of solids significantly correlates with exclusively and early formula-feeding. 34% were weaned due to recommendation by their paediatrician. 23% of the preterm infants even received solids before 12 weeks corrected age, putting them at risks for developing obesity, celiac disease and diabetes. Conclusions This study shows the necessity for clear guidelines regarding the introduction of complementary feeding in preterm infants as well as the importance of their implementation. Caregivers should receive information on this topic early enough and they should fully understand the difference between chronological and corrected age.

Magnetotelluric static shift: Estimation and removal using the cokriging method

Geophysics ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. F25-F34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Tournerie ◽  
Michel Chouteau ◽  
Denis Marcotte
Keyword(s):  
Apparent Resistivity ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Shift Factor ◽  
Static Shift ◽  
Geostatistical Model ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Resistivity Sounding ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Cross Variogram

We present and test a new method to correct for the static shift affecting magnetotelluric (MT) apparent resistivity sounding curves. We use geostatistical analysis of apparent resistivity and phase data for selected periods. For each period, we first estimate and model the experimental variograms and cross variogram between phase and apparent resistivity. We then use the geostatistical model to estimate, by cokriging, the corrected apparent resistivities using the measured phases and apparent resistivities. The static shift factor is obtained as the difference between the logarithm of the corrected and measured apparent resistivities. We retain as final static shift estimates the ones for the period displaying the best correlation with the estimates at all periods. We present a 3D synthetic case study showing that the static shift is retrieved quite precisely when the static shift factors are uniformly distributed around zero. If the static shift distribution has a nonzero mean, we obtained best results when an apparent resistivity data subset can be identified a priori as unaffected by static shift and cokriging is done using only this subset. The method has been successfully tested on the synthetic COPROD-2S2 2D MT data set and on a 3D-survey data set from Las Cañadas Caldera (Tenerife, Canary Islands) severely affected by static shift.

scholarly journals Another Name for Liberty: Revelation, ‘Objectivity,’ and Intellectual Freedom in Barth and Marion

Open Theology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 430-450
Author(s):  
Kristóf Oltvai
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
The Other ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
Intellectual Freedom ◽  
Specific Kind ◽  
Absolute Truth ◽  
Saturated Phenomenon ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Karl Barth’s and Jean-Luc Marion’s theories of revelation, though prominent and popular, are often criticized by both theologians and philosophers for effacing the human subject’s epistemic integrity. I argue here that, in fact, both Barth and Marion appeal to revelation in an attempt to respond to a tendency within philosophy to coerce thought. Philosophy, when it claims to be able to access a universal, absolute truth within history, degenerates into ideology. By making conceptually possible some ‚evental’ phenomena that always evade a priori epistemic conditions, Barth’s and Marion’s theories of revelation relativize all philosophical knowledge, rendering any ideological claim to absolute truth impossible. The difference between their two theories, then, lies in how they understand the relationship between philosophy and theology. For Barth, philosophy’s attempts to make itself absolute is a produce of sinful human vanity; its corrective is thus an authentic revealed theology, which Barth articulates in Christian, dogmatic terms. Marion, on the other hand, equipped with Heidegger’s critique of ontotheology, highlights one specific kind of philosophizing—metaphysics—as generative of ideology. To counter metaphysics, Marion draws heavily on Barth’s account of revelation but secularizes it, reinterpreting the ‚event’ as the saturated phenomenon. Revelation’s unpredictability is thus preserved within Marion’s philosophy, but is no longer restricted to the appearing of God. Both understandings of revelation achieve the same epistemological result, however. Reality can never be rendered transparent to thought; within history, all truth is provisional. A concept of revelation drawn originally from Christian theology thus, counterintuitively, is what secures philosophy’s right to challenge and critique the pre-given, a hermeneutic freedom I suggest is the meaning of sola scriptura.

NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL PROBLEMS OF THERMOVISCOELASTICITY

2021 ◽  
Vol 335 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-64
Author(s):  
M. Bukenov ◽  
Ye. Mukhametov
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Elastic Collision ◽  
Qualitative Behavior ◽  
Stress Profile ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
A Priori Information ◽  
Deformable Solids ◽  
Methods Of Calculation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Priori Information

This paper considers the numerical implementation of two-dimensional thermoviscoelastic waves. The elastic collision of an aluminum cylinder with a two-layer plate of aluminum and iron is considered. In work [1] the difference schemes and algorithm of their realization are given. The most complete reviews of the main methods of calculation of transients in deformable solids can be found in [2, 3, 4], which also indicates the need and importance of generalized studies on the comparative evaluation of different methods and identification of the areas of their most rational application. In the analysis and physical interpretation of numerical results in this work it is also useful to use a priori information about the qualitative behavior of the solution and all kinds of information about the physics of the phenomena under study. Here is the stage of evolution of contact resistance of collision – plate, stress profile.

In search of virtuous learning circles: absorptive capacity and its antecedents in the education sector

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Lenart-Gansiniec ◽  
Wojciech Czakon ◽  
Massimiliano Matteo Pellegrini
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Knowledge Flows ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Measurement Scales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to identify context-specific antecedents to schools’ absorptive capacity (AC) and to show how those can enact “a virtuous learning circle.” Design/methodology/approach The study uses a mixed method: an exploration based on semi-structured interviews with educational experts; the development of a measurement scale and a partial least squares structural equation modelling to test the impact of the antecedents. Findings The results yielded four empirically-grounded antecedents and their measurement scales, namely, prior knowledge, employees’ skills, educational projects and interactions with the environment (Studies one and two). All antecedents are significantly and positively related to AC processes (study three). Using the organizational learning theory perspective, the results have been interpreted as an AC “virtuous learning circle.” Practical implications With increasing pressures to adapt, a case of which was the COVID-19 pandemic, schools can greatly benefit from absorbing knowledge flows. This suggests the construction a favourable environment for AC. To this end, the individual (employees’ prior knowledge and skills), organizational (educational projects) and institutional level of managerial action (interactions with the environment) can be effective when create a recursive organizational learning circle. In addition, this study offers an expert-validated measurement scale for self-assessment of a school’s specific contingencies, and thus, for planning of punctual interventions to develop AC. Originality/value This study advances the existing body of knowledge management in the educational context by rigorously identifying and validating a scale for measuring the antecedents of AC and developing an interpretive approach to the AC “virtuous circle.”

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