A data fusion approach to the estimation of temporary populations: An application to Australia

This study establishes a new method for estimating the monthly Average Population Present (APP) in Australian regions. Conventional population statistics, which enumerate people where they usually live, ignore the significant spatial mobility driving short term shifts in population numbers. Estimates of the temporary or ambient population of a region have several important applications including the provision of goods and services, emergency preparedness and serve as more appropriate denominators for a range of social statistics. This paper develops a flexible modelling framework to generate APP estimates from an integrated suite of conventional and novel data sources. The resultant APP estimates reveal the considerable seasonality in small area populations across Australia’s regions alongside the contribution of domestic and international visitors as well as absent residents to the observed monthly variations. The modelling framework developed in the paper is conceived in a manner such that it can be adapted and re-deployed both for use with alternative data sources as well as other situational contexts for the estimation of temporary populations.

Mission Accomplished? Critique, Justification, and Efforts to Diversify Gifted Education

Research on gifted education demonstrates how these programs contribute globally to the reproduction of social inequalities. Despite these findings, gifted education has been remarkably successful in the 21st century. However, the need to equate the inclusion of women, first‐generation students, and students with a migration background in gifted education has simultaneously intensified. Both developments are embedded in profound transformations of the education system globally, especially in the social diversification of student populations and the concurrent demand for excellence in academic research. The German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung) is the largest gifted education program in Germany and one of the oldest worldwide. In recent years, the Studienstiftung has tried to diversify their students. Based on a discourse analysis, which uses the concepts of justification, critique, and regimes of justification, I examine official documents of the Studienstiftung between 1925 and 2018. In doing so, I show that the spirit of the Studienstiftung and their handling of social statistics raise doubts concerning the successful diversification of their students—as the Studienstiftung has claimed. Finally, I discuss several measures that might be useful to support social diversification in gifted education in the future.

Traumatic brain injury in children in Moscow

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the main cause of unnatural death and disability in the child population, ranking first among all injuries requiring hospitalization. The lack of full and detailed medical and social statistics on the prevalence of TBI and its consequences impedes their reasonable assessment and reduces the possibility of prevention. The aim is to study and assess the current epidemiological situation of TBI in children in Moscow. Materials and methods. Comparative study of main trends in the incidence and mortality of TBI in children in Moscow in 2003–2018 with the average Russian indicators based on state statistical data. Results and conclusions. Megacities are a high risk area for TBI in children, therefore policies require additional prevention strategies. Limitations in the existing forms for state statistics impede an objective assessment and establishment of true levels of morbidity and mortality in children from TBI, as well as identification of its causes. Increased hospitalization rate of children with TBI in Moscow at high morbidity levels contributes to low mortality and lethality rates in children from this type of injury.

ACHIEVING STATISTICS SELF-ACTUALIZATION: FACULTY SURVEY ON TEACHING APPLIED SOCIAL STATISTICS

In this paper, we detail a convergent mixed-methods survey of faculty teaching applied social statistics courses, analyzed through a framework of learning theory. The survey explored faculty perceptions and use of recommended strategies for statistics education, perceived barriers to student success, and general recommendations for instruction in applied statistics courses. Results indicate some consistency in practice with the recommendations in the literature, but a lack of consistency was noted for strategies such as student reflections, allowing multiple attempts on assignments, and others. Particular attention is paid to connecting the results to learning theory with the discussion framed around a Statistics Self-Actualization model based on Maslow’s 1943 theory of Hierarchy of Needs. First published June 2020 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives

Continuous Improvement Practices in Manufacturing Companies in the Sultanate of Oman

Purpose The aims of this study were to identify Continuous Improvement (CI) practices prevailing in the manufacturing companies with regards to Visual Management, Employee Engagement, Leadership and Risk Management; to identify continuous improvement tools that have been adopted by the manufacturing companies; and to analyze the critical success factors for implementing CI practices in manufacturing companies. Design/methodology/approach For this study, a survey questionnaire was used to collect the CI practices information from manufacturing companies in Oman. 146 samples were collected from 75 manufacturing units selected at random from the Public Establishment for Industrial Estate database. The data was analysed for reliability, robustness, ranking tests using Statistical Package for Social Statistics (SPSS). Findings The majority of the manufacturing firms were using only the CI program for the past five years. However, there was not substantial cost savings for these businesses. The overall sales increased, while the average processing time had declined and the product recalls also had increased. The most important factors identified for the effective implementation of CI in industrial firms were effective communication, top management encouragement, and employee involvement and conducive organization atmosphere. Social Implications Sultanate of Oman like any other GCC countries is undergoing a critical phase in economy because of the oil price plunge combined with ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The paper will be of use to academics, researchers and continuous improvement practitioners. Originality/value So far, very few studies have been conducted in analyzing the factors correlated to CI in the Omani context and no study was carried out before in exploring the CI application in the Sultanate of Oman.

SPATIAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA FOR PLANNING AND RESEARCH

In Malaysia, spatial demographic studies are lacking due to data paucity. This exploratory study illustrates the relevance of spatial demographic data for development and business planning at the local level. Data for this study came from Malaysian population censuses, vital statistics reports and social statistics bulletins. Bivariate analyses were performed to present some examples of the potential use of spatial demographic data for more target-oriented planning. Data show that the population in several densely populated districts continues to grow rapidly. Hence, development planning should aim to forestall the exacer-bation of the regional imbalance. Localities with high birth rate and rapid population ageing must be prepared to cope with the changing demographic scenario. The wide variations in pupil-teacher ratio across districts indicate the need for resource reallocation. The under-reporting of births and deaths in the remote areas may result in misallocation of health and educational resources. Comparisons of indictors from different data sources demonstrate data inconsistency and deficiency. This study aims to present a strong case for collecting and disseminating small area statistics to enhance spatial demographic research for socio-economic development, infrastructural, regional and business planning.