The Separation of Individual Variation and Systematic Change in the Analysis of Panel Data

Abstract This article explores intra-individual variation and language change across the lifespan of eight speakers from a small Austrian village. Four phonological variables in two settings (informal conversation vs. formal interview) are traced across longitudinal panel data that span 43 years. The analysis reveals an increase of dialect features (retrograde change), even though apparent-time as well as real-time trend studies indicate dialect loss in the Bavarian speaking parts of Austria. The panel data also indicate that neither the group means at one moment in time nor their averaged changes are representative of the intra-individual variation of any of the eight speakers. Regarding this non-representativity, the article introduces the classical ergodic theorem to variationist sociolinguistics. Evidence will be provided that change across the lifespan of an individual is a non-ergodic process. Thus, it is argued that variationists have to be more cautious when they generalise from group-derived estimates to individual developments and vice versa.

Download Full-text

The challenge of accounting for individual differences in folk-economic beliefs

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x18000523 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Benjamin C. Ruisch ◽

Rajen A. Anderson ◽

David A. Pizarro

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Individual Variation ◽

Political Ideologies ◽

Economic Beliefs ◽

Existing Data

AbstractWe argue that existing data on folk-economic beliefs (FEBs) present challenges to Boyer & Petersen's model. Specifically, the widespread individual variation in endorsement of FEBs casts doubt on the claim that humans are evolutionarily predisposed towards particular economic beliefs. Additionally, the authors' model cannot account for the systematic covariance between certain FEBs, such as those observed in distinct political ideologies.

Download Full-text

Inter-individual variation shapes the human microbiome

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x1800287x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

Emily F. Wissel ◽

Leigh K. Smith

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Individual Variation ◽

Human Microbiome ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Target Article ◽

Microbiome Research

Abstract The target article suggests inter-individual variability is a weakness of microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) research, but we discuss why it is actually a strength. We comment on how accounting for individual differences can help researchers systematically understand the observed variance in microbiota composition, interpret null findings, and potentially improve the efficacy of therapeutic treatments in future clinical microbiome research.

Download Full-text

Cell morphology, volume, and surface area determinations from multilevel contouring within HVEM micrographs of serial sections and whole-cell mounts

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100127426 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

pp. 588-589

Author(s):

M. Marko ◽

A. Leith ◽

D. Parsons

Keyword(s):

Surface Area ◽

Electron Micrographs ◽

Cell Morphology ◽

Individual Variation ◽

Serial Section ◽

Stereo Pair ◽

Complex Structures ◽

Serial Sections ◽

Surface Areas ◽

Computer Based

The use of serial sections and computer-based 3-D reconstruction techniques affords an opportunity not only to visualize the shape and distribution of the structures being studied, but also to determine their volumes and surface areas. Up until now, this has been done using serial ultrathin sections.The serial-section approach differs from the stereo logical methods of Weibel in that it is based on the Information from a set of single, complete cells (or organelles) rather than on a random 2-dimensional sampling of a population of cells. Because of this, it can more easily provide absolute values of volume and surface area, especially for highly-complex structures. It also allows study of individual variation among the cells, and study of structures which occur only infrequently.We have developed a system for 3-D reconstruction of objects from stereo-pair electron micrographs of thick specimens.

Download Full-text