Philosophical foundations of statistical research

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-211
Author(s):  
Józef Pociecha
Keyword(s):  
Inductive Reasoning ◽  
Economic Research ◽  
Information Revolution ◽  
Statistical Research ◽  
Philosophical Foundations ◽  
Concept Of Truth ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Determinism And Indeterminism ◽  
Key Questions

Every researcher desires to uncover the truth about the object of the undertaken study. When conducting statistical research, however, scientists frequently give no deeper thought as to their motivation underlying the choice of the particular purpose and scope of the study, or the choice of analytical tools. The aim of this paper is to provide a reflection on the philosophical foundations of statistical research. The three basic understandings of the term ‘statistics’ are outlined, followed by a synthetic overview of the understanding of the concept of truth in the key branches of philosophy, with particular attention devoted to the understanding of truth in probabilistic terms. Subsequently, a short discussion is presented on the philosophical bases of statistics, touching upon such topics as determinism and indeterminism, chance and chaos, deductive and inductive reasoning, randomness and uncertainty, and the impact of the information revolution on the development of statistical methods, especially in the context of socio-economic research. The article concludes with the formulation of key questions regarding the future development of statistics.

scholarly journals Philosophical foundations for digital ethics and AI Ethics: a dignitarian approach

AI and Ethics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Hanna ◽  
Emre Kazim
Keyword(s):  
Human Dignity ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Moral Obligations ◽  
Philosophical Foundations ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Form Of Life ◽  
Digital Ethics ◽  
Human Happiness ◽  
Ai Ethics ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAI Ethics is a burgeoning and relatively new field that has emerged in response to growing concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on human individuals and their social institutions. In turn, AI ethics is a part of the broader field of digital ethics, which addresses similar concerns generated by the development and deployment of new digital technologies. Here, we tackle the important worry that digital ethics in general, and AI ethics in particular, lack adequate philosophical foundations. In direct response to that worry, we formulate and rationally justify some basic concepts and principles for digital ethics/AI ethics, all drawn from a broadly Kantian theory of human dignity. Our argument, which is designed to be relatively compact and easily accessible, is presented in ten distinct steps: (1) what “digital ethics” and “AI ethics” mean, (2) refuting the dignity-skeptic, (3) the metaphysics of human dignity, (4) human happiness or flourishing, true human needs, and human dignity, (5) our moral obligations with respect to all human real persons, (6) what a natural automaton or natural machine is, (7) why human real persons are not natural automata/natural machines: because consciousness is a form of life, (8) our moral obligations with respect to the design and use of artificial automata or artificial machines, aka computers, and digital technology more generally, (9) what privacy is, why invasions of digital privacy are morally impermissible, whereas consensual entrances into digital privacy are either morally permissible or even obligatory, and finally (10) dignitarian morality versus legality, and digital ethics/AI ethics. We conclude by asserting our strongly-held belief that a well-founded and generally-accepted dignitarian digital ethics/AI ethics is of global existential importance for humanity.

The Impact of Cotton Land Distribution on the Antebellum Economy

1971 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 917-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Passell
Keyword(s):  
National Income ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Political Issue ◽  
Land Distribution ◽  
Distribution Of Wealth ◽  
Private Interests ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
The American South ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
The Impact

Much of the federally owned public lands in the American South to the west of the Appalachians was sold to private interests between 1820 and 1860. Land sales' policy remained a great political issue during the nineteenth century because of its perceived effects on the distribution of wealth, sectoral economic growth, and the geographic location of political power. In this essay we consider the marginal impact of Southern land sales on national income. Like all models, our model is only as good as its underlying assumptions. Our aim is less to provide the last word on an important historical issue than to place the problem in a context in which analytical tools can be employed.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Attitudes Towards the Use of CRM’s Analytical Tools in Organizations

Organizacija ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urban Šebjan ◽  
Samo Bobek ◽  
Polona Tominc
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Process Innovation ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Process Technology ◽  
Business Partners ◽  
Innovation And Technology ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Purpose: Information solutions for analytical customer relationship management CRM (aCRM IS) that include the use of analytical tools are becoming increasingly important, due organizations’ need for knowledge of their customers and the ability to manage big data. The objective of the research is, therefore, to determine how the organizations’ orientations (process, innovation, and technology) as critical organizational factors affect the attitude towards the use of the analytical tools of aCRM IS. Design/Methodology/Approach: To measure the orientation of the organization (process, innovation, and technology), we redesigned the existing scale, which was validated using exploratory factor analysis. In the next phase, we created a model by which we examined the impact of the organization’s stance in relation to the use of the analytical tools of aCRM IS, where we used multiple regression analysis. The model was verified on a sample of Slovenian Organizations (n=105), which use the analytical tools of aCRM IS for analyzing the data they have on their customers and business partners. Results: In the study we found that all critical factors of the organization, specifically process, technology, and innovation orientation, have a positive impact on the attitudes towards using the analytical tools of aCRM IS. Innovation orientation is particularly important and has the strongest influence on the attitude towards using the analytical tools of aCRM IS. We found that innovation orientation on new ideas, methods, and approaches has the strongest effect, followed by the impact of innovation orientation on acceptance of novelty. Conclusion: The more innovation-, technology-, and process-oriented organizations are, the more positive their attitude towards using the analytical tools of aCRM IS. The study is particularly important for organizations that are introducing an aCRM IS into their business system.

Statistics and Economic History

1941 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Kuznets
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Economic History ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
The Other ◽  
Economic Study ◽  
Statistical Research ◽  
Historical Approach ◽  
The Past ◽  
Economic Inquiry ◽  
Analytical Tools

This paper deals with the relation between statistical analysis as applied in economic inquiry and history as written or interpreted by economic historians. Although both these branches of economic study derive from the same body of raw materials of inquiry—the recordable past and present of economic society—each has developed in comparative isolation from the other. Statistical economists have failed to utilize adequately the contributions that economic historians have made to our knowledge of the past; and historians have rarely employed either the analytical tools or the basic theoretical hypotheses of statistical research. It is the thesis of this essay that such failure to effect a close interrelation between historical approach and statistical analysis needs to be corrected in the light of the final goal of economic study.

scholarly journals Impact of acetylsalicylic acid on primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized trials

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 746-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Upadhaya ◽  
Seetharamprasad Madala ◽  
Ramkaji Baniya ◽  
Kalyan Saginala ◽  
Jahangir Khan
Keyword(s):  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Acetylsalicylic Acid ◽  
Hemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cardiovascular Death ◽  
Vascular Events ◽  
Individual Participant ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Key Questions

Numerous studies have investigated use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for prevention of cardiovascular deaths. The vast majority of the work in this area has focused on secondary prevention. However, underuse of ASA still remains a major issue. Fewer studies have investigated the impact of ASA on primary prevention of cardiovascular death. A meta-analysis of individual participant data from six randomized studies, published in 2009, showed decrease in serious vascular events but at the cost of causing increased bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke. Recent studies have raised a number of key questions regarding the benefits and risks of using ASA for primary prevention.

scholarly journals Challenges in the work of intelligence services in the information age

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-161
Author(s):  
Milan Miljković
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Information Structure ◽  
Information Age ◽  
Information Revolution ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
Modern Information Technology ◽  
Intelligence Services ◽  
Analytical Work ◽  
Modern Information ◽  
The Impact

The collection and analytical work of modern intelligence services faces numerous challenges because the environment in which the services operate is characterized by the need for rapid data collection, analysis and decision-making, almost in real time. When we consider security work, the growing dependence on modern information technology makes the information structure of services sensitive and "vulnerable" to information attacks. Also, the application of information operations as a form of performing secret actions has been updated. Information technology has also changed the relationship between the service and users, introduced the possibility of applying the "pull" architecture for obtaining information, which, in addition to the good sides, also brings certain challenges. Due to all the above, the intelligence services are adapting to the technological, organizational and cultural changes brought about by the information revolution. The paper reviews the challenges in the work of modern intelligence services, primarily from the aspect of the impact of mass application of modern information technology on operational and analytical work, as well as the application of secret actions in the work of services. The aim of this paper is to point out the numerous challenges that the information revolution brings to modern intelligence services. A comparative analysis of the presented research material leads to the conclusion that the services encounter new tasks and ways of functioning in all their activities, which ultimately raises the sensitive issue of their reform. The conclusion reached in this paper is that the reform of intelligence services in the "information age" is in any case necessary, but that its implementation should not be revolutionary, but must be carried out evolutionarily.

scholarly journals The role of vaccines in combating antimicrobial resistance

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Jit ◽  
B Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Salmonella Typhi ◽  
Economic Research ◽  
Haemophilus Influenzae Type ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Animal Pathogens ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Vaccination is one of the most effective measures to reduce antimicrobial resistance in both human and animal pathogens. This presentation reviews the multiple pathways by which vaccines may act to reduce resistance: they can prevent infections by focal pathogens, reducing the need to use antibiotics; they can selectively protect against resistant subtypes of a pathogen; they can reduce infections by other pathogen species which are routinely treated with antibiotics (not necessarily appropriately) thus reducing bystander selection; and they could selectively reduce transmission in settings such as hospitals which may have higher proportions of resistant strains. Because vaccines are highly specific to their targeted pathogens, they are much less likely to induce resistance compared to antibiotics. Hence, they can be delivered to large populations as a preventive measure to reduce transmission. The impact of vaccination on resistance has been demonstrated for vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b and influenza. Current and pipeline vaccines against pathogens such as Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, RSV, diarrhoeal viruses and nosocomial bacteria may also have potential to reduce resistance. Economic evaluations of vaccines need to be expanded to capture their benefits in reducing resistance, in order to incentivize development and introduction of the right vaccines. Accurately doing so will require health systems, epidemiological and economic research.

scholarly journals Simulation of the impact of economic development on social development of the country

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 37-54
Author(s):  
Olena Rayevnyeva ◽  
Iryna Aksonova ◽  
Olha Brovko ◽  
Stanislav Filip
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Economic Condition ◽  
Statistical Research ◽  
The Social ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Algorithmic Model ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Significant Factors

In the current conditions of development of the international and national economy, an important task of statistical research is to conduct an objective and timely assessment and modeling of the relationship between indicators of economic and social development. Based on the results of these studies, reasonable management influences of the state on the adjustment and regulation of the country’s development are accepted. The article is devoted to the study of the relationship between the main components of economic and social development of the country and the construction of a set of models for forecasting the prospects of the country. The object of the study is the socio-economic condition of the country. The article proposes an algorithmic model for assessing the impact of economic development on society, which allows to identify key economic indicators that influence and shape the social development of the country. The practical value of the algorithmic model is to develop a system of evaluation and selection as a result of modeling the most significant factors that shape the social development of the country. The study confirmed the hypothesis of the dominant impact of economic development on society and determined that the main economic factors are the level of competencies that satisfy the modern labour market, technical development of businesses and their competitiveness in markets.

scholarly journals THE ACTIVITY OF F.F. ERISMAN IN MOSCOW LOW TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATIONS (ON THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH)

2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-377
Author(s):  
Irina V. Egorysheva
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Dental Hygienist ◽  
Statistical Research ◽  
Large Scale Study ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Work And Life

The article is devoted to the participation of the outstanding dental hygienist F. F. Erisman in the development of the Moscow low territorial sanitary organization. Under his leadership, there was carried out a large-scale study of the impact of conditions of the work and life on the health of plant workers, served as a model for similar types of sanitary-statistical research in a number of rural provinces. F. F. Erisman actively participated in the work of the sanitary organization of the Moscow gubernia Zemstvo, the creation of the first district sanitary Bureau.

scholarly journals The South African wildlife ranching sector: A Social Accounting Matrix Leontief multiplier analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippus C. Cloete ◽  
Riaan Rosouw
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
South African ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Economic Research ◽  
Social Accounting Matrix ◽  
The South ◽  
Social Accounting ◽  
Multiplier Analysis ◽  
Economic Contribution ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: There is startlingly little economic research on the South African wildlife sector which contributes toward disputes regarding the economic contribution of the sector.Research purpose: The purpose of this article is to put into context the relative economic contribution of the wildlife ranching sector, as opposed to other land-use options in South Africa.Motivation for the study: Growth in the wildlife ranching sector at the cost of other traditional farming practices resulted in disagreements amongst various role players about the impact thereof on the national economy. The controversy can most probably be explained by different beliefs, coupled with the lack of a proper understanding and quantification of the wildlife ranching sector’s contribution toward the economy.Research methodology: The study employed a Social Accounting Matrix-based Leontief multiplier analysis for South Africa.Main findings: Results from the multiplier analysis revealed that developments within the wildlife ranching sector are likely to make a relatively more superior contribution towards the economy, especially when compared to similar land-use options such as extensive livestock production.Practical/managerial implications: It has been acknowledged by both academia and private sector that a major need exists for more research on the South African wildlife ranching industry, specifically looking at issues such as the industries, economic and social contributions, potentials and constraints. The research, therefore, contributes toward the depth of economic information and research regarding the South African wildlife sector.Contribution/value added: The research provides valuable information in dealing with the ‘popular belief’, especially amongst some of South Africa’s decision makers, namely, that growth in the wildlife ranching sector is not or does not have the ability to contribute significantly toward economic and socioeconomic factors.

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