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Introduction to Empirical Processes and Semiparametric Inference
This book provides a self-contained, linear, and unified introduction to empirical processes and semiparametric inference. These powerful research techniques are surprisingly useful for developing methods of statistical inference for complex models and in understanding the properties of such methods. The targeted audience includes statisticians, biostatisticians, and other researchers with a background in mathematical statistics who have an interest in learning about and doing research in empirical processes and semiparametric inference but who would like to have a friendly and gradual introduction to the area. The book can be used either as a research reference or as a textbook. The level of the book is suitable for a second year graduate course in statistics or biostatistics, provided the students have had a year of graduate level mathematical statistics and a semester of probability.
International handbook of school effectiveness and improvement : Review, reflection and reframing
This book celebrates twenty years of the International Congress for School Effecti- ness and Improvement. According to Judith Chapman’s report in the first issue of the Australian Network News (1989, p. 1): The initiative for ICES was taken by Dale Mann, former Chairperson (1976–85) of the Department of Educational Administration, Teachers’College, Columbia University, who served as the first Chairperson (1984–85) for the National Council for Effective Schools in the United States . . . [who] felt it timely to bring policy-makers, researchers and planners together.
Formative research in social marketing : Innovative methods to gain consumer insights
Brings together the state of the art and current debates in the field of formative research, and examines many of the innovative methods largely overlooked in the available literature. This book will help social marketing to move beyond surveys and focus groups.The book addresses the needs of social marketing academics and practitioners alike by providing a robust and critical academic discussion of cutting-edge research methods, while demonstrating at the same time how each respective method can help us arrive at a deeper understanding of the issues that social marketing interventions are seeking to remedy. Each chapter includes a scholarly discussion of key formative research methods.
Evolutionary Scheduling
Evolutionary scheduling is a vital research domain at the interface of two important sciences - artificial intelligence and operational research. Scheduling problems are generally complex, large scale, constrained, and multi-objective in nature, and classical operational research techniques are often inadequate at solving them effectively. With the advent of computation intelligence, there is renewed interest in solving scheduling problems using evolutionary computational techniques. These techniques, which include genetic algorithms, genetic programming, evolutionary strategies, memetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, ant colony systems, etc, are derived from biologically inspired concepts and are well-suited to solve scheduling problems since they are highly scalable and flexible in terms of handling constraints and multiple objectives. This edited book gives an overview of many of the current developments in the large and growing field of evolutionary scheduling, and demonstrates the applicability of evolutionary computational techniques to solve scheduling problems, not only to small-scale test problems, but also fully-fledged real-world problems.
Combinatorial Algebraic Topology
Combinatorial algebraic topology is a fascinating and dynamic field at the crossroads of algebraic topology and discrete mathematics. This volume is the first comprehensive treatment of the subject in book form. The first part of the book constitutes a swift walk through the main tools of algebraic topology, including Stiefel-Whitney characteristic classes, which are needed for the later parts. Readers - graduate students and working mathematicians alike - will probably find particularly useful the second part, which contains an in-depth discussion of the major research techniques of combinatorial algebraic topology. Our presentation of standard topics is quite different from that of existing texts. In addition, several new themes, such as spectral sequences, are included.
Clinical Research Methods for Surgeons
The text addresses the clinical research questions facing 21st century surgeons, and provides clear direction on how to incorporate sophisticated research techniques into practice. In addition to the surgical generalist, this practical volume is specifically oriented to surgeons who treat unique diseases, yet have no single resource to facilitate clinical research in these specific areas. This comprehensive and easy-to-use guide encompasses the entire process of clinical study design, application, and assessment. Part One is aimed at the young surgeon about to engage in new studies, and gives a general overview of the infrastructure of clinical research. Parts Two and Three are geared towards experienced investigators interested in pursuing clinical research and surgeons reviewing the literature for practical application. Part Two focuses on study design and related statistical issues, while Part Three is concerned with measuring and assessing the outcome of clinical studies. Part Four presents topics of interest to the active investigator, such as quality of care and cost-effectiveness analyses. Clinical Research Methods for Surgeons is relevant to both beginning investigators and established researchers, and addresses the unique concerns of surgical diseases and acknowledges that they require special approaches to deal with clinical questions.
