Due to its increasing popularity, hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) has beenused along with structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze data with nestedstructure. In spite of the extensive research on commonly encountered problems such asviolation of normality and missing data treatment...

Conventional statistical methods assuming data sampled under simple random sampling are inadequate for use on complex survey data with a multilevel structure and non-independent observations. In structural equation modeling (SEM) framework, a researcher can either use the ad-hoc robust sandwich...

Two Monte Carlo studies were conducted to investigate the sensitivity of fit indices in detecting model misspecification in multilevel structural equation models (MSEM) with normally distributed or dichotomous outcome variables separately under various conditions. Simulation results showed that...

This dissertation focuses on issues related to fitting an optimal variance-covariance structure in multilevel linear modeling framework with two Monte Carlo simulation studies. In the first study, the author evaluated the performance of common fit statistics such as Likelihood Ratio Test (LRT),...

Substantial evidence indicates that information is distorted during decision making. However, no studies have assessed the distortion of outcome and probability information in risky decisions or the effects of ambiguity on information distortion. We report two studies involving six binary...

Substantial evidence indicates that information is distorted during decision making. However, no studies have assessed the distortion of outcome and probability information in risky decisions or the effects of ambiguity on information distortion. This paper reports two studies involving six...

In many studies, lattice or area data are observed and spatial analysis is performed. A spatial process observed over a lattice or a set of irregular regions is usually modeled using a conditionally autoregressive (CAR) model. The neighborhoods within a CAR model are generally formed using only...

"The paper presents thoughts on Sustainable Data Infrastructure (SDI)development, and its user requirements bases. It brings Maslow's motivational theory to the fore, and proposes it as a rationalization mechanism for entities (mostly governmental) that aim at realizing SDI. Maslow's theory,...

Mit dem Ziel einer erhöhten Durchsetzung der Waldgesetze zur Kontrolle von Entwaldung führte die Umweltbehörde von Mato Grosso im Jahre 1999 ein neues Umweltlizenzsystem ein. Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht die Wirksamkeit dieses Umweltlizenzsystem durch eine Kombination quantitativ...

In the light of the reaffirmed importance ofagricultural convergence within the integration process, thepaper provides a preliminary investigation of the impact of theenlargement from the EU-15 to the EU-27 on agricultural realb-convergence and, with reference to the EU-27, of itsrelationship...