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Article
Publication date: 1 January 1987

M.A. GIL and N. CORRAL

In a previous paper the minimum inaccuracy principle was suggested as an operative method for estimating population parameters when the available experimental information could…

391

Abstract

In a previous paper the minimum inaccuracy principle was suggested as an operative method for estimating population parameters when the available experimental information could not be perceived as an exact outcome, but rather as fuzzy information. This principle is an extension of the maximum likelihood principle of estimating from exact experimental data. In this paper, the particularization of the first method to the case in which each fuzzy information reduces to a class of extact observations is developed. We then analyze certain correspondence between the maximum likelihood and minimum inaccuracy principles in estimating parameters after grouping data. In addition, we prove that the second method approximates to the first one when a certain natural grouping, or choice of classes, is accomplished. Finally, in order to illustrate the preceding results, some relevant particular cases are examined.

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Kybernetes, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

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Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Paul Kwame Nkegbe, Abdelkrim Araar, Benjamin Musah Abu, Yazidu Ustarz, Hamdiyah Alhassan, Edinam Dope Setsoafia and Shamsia Abdul-Wahab

Ghana's economy is largely agrarian, and the business of agriculture is dominated by smallholder farmers who are predominantly rural dwellers. As a result, efforts to lift rural…

194

Abstract

Purpose

Ghana's economy is largely agrarian, and the business of agriculture is dominated by smallholder farmers who are predominantly rural dwellers. As a result, efforts to lift rural farming households from poverty have been narrowed to the promotion of agricultural development to the neglect of the rural non-farm sector. However, this is fast changing in the advent of a burgeoning rural nonfarm economy and must engage the attention of policy actors. This study thus assesses the effect of non-farm participation on households' level of commercialization of agricultural crops in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a generalized structural equation model (GSEM) to the Ghana Living Standards Survey round 6 dataset, a stratified and nationally representative random sample of 16,772 households in 1,200 enumeration areas.

Findings

This study finds that non-farm participation increases the produce sold to output ratio. It is concluded that non-farm engagement by farmers boosts commercialization in Ghana. Thus, for the Ghanaian and similar contexts, agricultural development interventions that incorporate non-farm activities are more likely to be successful in improving livelihoods.

Research limitations/implications

The study uses only the ratio of sales value to output value definition for commercialization and acknowledges use of multiple definitions could be superior.

Originality/value

Various empirical studies have examined the link between the farm and nonfarm sectors. This paper is original in its approach as it tackles an aspect of the subject that has been understudied, namely, an exploration of nonfarm and farm linkages from the perspective of agricultural commercialization.

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Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-0839

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Article
Publication date: 1 July 1934

LIBRARIES have come impressively into the public picture in the past year or two, and seldom with more effect than when Their Majesties the King and Queen opened the new Central…

35

Abstract

LIBRARIES have come impressively into the public picture in the past year or two, and seldom with more effect than when Their Majesties the King and Queen opened the new Central Reference Library at Manchester on July 17th. In a time, which is nearly the end of a great depression, that the city which probably felt the depression more than any in the Kingdom should have proceeded with the building of a vast store‐house of learning is a fact of great social significance and a happy augury for libraries as a whole. His Majesty the King has been most felicitous in providing what we may call “slogans” for libraries. It will be remembered that in connection with the opening of the National Central Library, he suggested that it was a “University which all may join and which none need ever leave” —words which should be written in imperishable letters upon that library and be printed upon its stationery for ever. As Mr. J. D. Stewart said at the annual meeting of the National Central Library, it was a slogan which every public library would like to appropriate. At Manchester, His Majesty gave us another. He said: “To our urban population open libraries are as essential to health of mind, as open spaces to health of body.” This will be at the disposal of all of us for use. It is a wonderful thing that Manchester in these times has been able to provide a building costing £450,000 embodying all that is modern and all that is attractive in the design of libraries. The architect, Mr. Vincent Harris, and the successive librarians, Mr. Jast and Mr. Nowell, are to be congratulated upon the crown of their work.

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New Library World, vol. 37 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

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Book part
Publication date: 9 November 2020

Erik M. Hines, James L. Moore, Renae D. Mayes, Paul C. Harris, Paul Singleton, Christian M. Hines, Chris J. Harried and Bobbi-Jo Wathen

Rural students encounter challenges such as the achievement gap; racial inequality; little or no college counseling; higher rates of poverty; limited accessibility to college…

Abstract

Rural students encounter challenges such as the achievement gap; racial inequality; little or no college counseling; higher rates of poverty; limited accessibility to college preparatory courses; and recruitment and retention of quality teachers. Moreover, Black males tend to experience the same issues; however, there is a dearth of literature around this population in rural areas. The authors describe the implications of the unique intersection of Black males in rural settings and discuss the unique challenges and opportunities presented. Specifically, academic achievement, college and career readiness, and access to employment and higher education for Black males are highlighted in this chapter. The authors provide recommendations on research and practice for educators to best serve Black males in rural settings.

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African American Rural Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83909-870-3

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Book part
Publication date: 7 December 2023

Heeyun Kim and Paula Clasing-Manquian

Education researchers have been urged to utilize causal inference methods to estimate the policy effect more rigorously. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold…

Abstract

Education researchers have been urged to utilize causal inference methods to estimate the policy effect more rigorously. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for assessing causality, RCTs are infeasible in some educational settings, particularly when ethical concerns or high cost are involved. Quasi-experimental research designs are the best alternative approach to study educational topics not amenable to RCTs, as they mimic experimental conditions and use statistical techniques to reduce bias from variables omitted in the empirical models. In this chapter, we introduce and discuss the core concepts, applicability, and limitations of three quasi-experimental methods in higher education research (i.e., difference-in-differences, instrumental variables, and regression discontinuity). By introducing each of these techniques, we aim to expand the higher education researcher's toolbox and encourage the use of these quasi-experimental methods to evaluate educational interventions.

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 1988

María Angeles Gil

The traditional literature dealing with statistical decision problems usually assumes that previous information about an associated experiment may be expressed by means of…

67

Abstract

The traditional literature dealing with statistical decision problems usually assumes that previous information about an associated experiment may be expressed by means of conditional probabilistic information, and the actual experimental outcomes can be perceived with exactness by the statistician. We now consider statistical decision problems satisfying the first assumption above, so that the actual available information cannot be exactly perceived, but rather it may be assimilated with fuzzy information (as defined by Zadeh et al.).

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Kybernetes, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

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Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 13 December 2023

Edward C. Fletcher, Erik M. Hines, Donna Y. Ford and James L. Moore

The purpose of this study was to examine the learning experiences of high school Black males participating in an academy of engineering that was configured as a magnet school. We…

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the learning experiences of high school Black males participating in an academy of engineering that was configured as a magnet school. We followed a qualitative case study design to explore the experiences of 16 Black male academies of engineering students. We identified three recurring themes from the interviews with the Black male academy of engineering students: Promoting Interests in STEM, Drawing Connections to Core Academic Concepts, and An Affinity for Hands-on Learning through the Engineering Curriculum. The results of our study helped us to better understand how academies provide a platform for Black male students' interest in engineering as a viable college and career pathway.

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Black Males in Secondary and Postsecondary Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-578-1

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Book part
Publication date: 13 December 2023

Jesse R. Ford, Brittany N. Brewster and Jordan Farmer

This conceptual work synthesizes the experiences of Black men who are collegiate athletes and introduces new theoretical considerations on the formation of their leadership…

Abstract

This conceptual work synthesizes the experiences of Black men who are collegiate athletes and introduces new theoretical considerations on the formation of their leadership identities in predominantly white institutions. This scholarship focuses on historical understandings of how race and gender influenced the creation of the current Black man in collegiate identity. This work expands on Du Bois' (1903) concept of double consciousness, Fanon's (1952) views on Blackness, and Bertrand Jones and colleagues' culturally responsive leadership learning model (2016). Collectively, the three frameworks highlight the significance of leadership in the development of Black men who are student-athletes. The conclusion includes implications and recommendations for future research as we work to support and develop Black men beyond their athletic identity.

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Black Males in Secondary and Postsecondary Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-578-1

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Article
Publication date: 29 November 2024

Raziyeh Erfanifar, Khosro Sayevand and Masoud Hajarian

In this study, we present a novel parametric iterative method for computing the polar decomposition and determining the matrix sign function.

26

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, we present a novel parametric iterative method for computing the polar decomposition and determining the matrix sign function.

Design/methodology/approach

This method demonstrates exceptional efficiency, requiring only two matrix-by-matrix multiplications and one matrix inversion per iteration. Additionally, we establish that the convergence order of the proposed method is three and four, and confirm that it is asymptotically stable.

Findings

In conclusion, we extend the iterative method to solve the Yang-Baxter-like matrix equation. The efficiency indices of the proposed methods are shown to be superior compared to previous approaches.

Originality/value

The efficiency and accuracy of our proposed methods are demonstrated through various high-dimensional numerical examples, highlighting their superiority over established methods.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

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Article
Publication date: 25 June 2024

Yew Kong Lee, Ping Yein Lee, Yee Ling Lau, Chirk Jenn Ng, Wei Leik Ng, Thiam Kian Chiew, Adina Abdullah, Jamuna Vadivelu, Amirah Amir, Christina Phoay Lay Tan and Caroline Kwong Leng Chin

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using a virtual patient (VP) software program in increasing clinical reasoning skills confidence among medical students.

41

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using a virtual patient (VP) software program in increasing clinical reasoning skills confidence among medical students.

Design/methodology/approach

A quasi-experimental design was used to compare the outcomes of students’ confidence levels on clinical reasoning between problem-based learning (PBL) and VP program with 122 pre-clinical Year 2 medical students. History taking, physical examination, clinical investigations and diagnosis was investigated using four PBL cases in the oncology block. Pre- and post-differences in mean confidence scores between the arms were compared, as well as mean difference by type of case and skill category.

Findings

A total of 122/156 (78.2%) students participated; n = 55 were from 7 VP groups and n = 67 were from 13 control arm groups. For the primary outcome, the VP arm showed a statistically significant increase in confidence measures among 11/16 (4 cases × 4 skills) categories, compared to 4/16 for the control arm. The proportion of the students who indicated an improved confidence was statistically significant for the cervical cancer case for physical examination (60.0% improved in VP vs 12.5% in control), investigation (60.0% VP vs 18.8% control) and diagnosis (60.0% in VP vs 25.0% in control). Finally, analysis by case showed an increment in overall mean scores from the start to end of the case within the VP arm while the pattern was erratic in the control arm cases.

Originality/value

The study results showed that incorporating the VP into PBL was more effective in increasing students’ clinical reasoning confidence levels compared to the usual PBL. As the study utilized existing PBL cases, it demonstrates how medical schools can incorporate digital VP tools into pre-clinical years before students' transition to learning from actual patients in the clinical years.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

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