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Random Forests is a statistical learning method which has been proposed for propensity score estimation models that involve complex interactions, nonlinear relationships, or both of the covariates. In this dissertation I conducted a simulation study to examine the effects of three Random Forests model specifications in propensity score analysis. The

Random Forests is a statistical learning method which has been proposed for propensity score estimation models that involve complex interactions, nonlinear relationships, or both of the covariates. In this dissertation I conducted a simulation study to examine the effects of three Random Forests model specifications in propensity score analysis. The results suggested that, depending on the nature of data, optimal specification of (1) decision rules to select the covariate and its split value in a Classification Tree, (2) the number of covariates randomly sampled for selection, and (3) methods of estimating Random Forests propensity scores could potentially produce an unbiased average treatment effect estimate after propensity scores weighting by the odds adjustment. Compared to the logistic regression estimation model using the true propensity score model, Random Forests had an additional advantage in producing unbiased estimated standard error and correct statistical inference of the average treatment effect. The relationship between the balance on the covariates' means and the bias of average treatment effect estimate was examined both within and between conditions of the simulation. Within conditions, across repeated samples there was no noticeable correlation between the covariates' mean differences and the magnitude of bias of average treatment effect estimate for the covariates that were imbalanced before adjustment. Between conditions, small mean differences of covariates after propensity score adjustment were not sensitive enough to identify the optimal Random Forests model specification for propensity score analysis.
ContributorsCham, Hei Ning (Author) / Tein, Jenn-Yun (Thesis advisor) / Enders, Stephen G (Thesis advisor) / Enders, Craig K. (Committee member) / Mackinnon, David P (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2013
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Description
Correlation is common in many types of data, including those collected through longitudinal studies or in a hierarchical structure. In the case of clustering, or repeated measurements, there is inherent correlation between observations within the same group, or between observations obtained on the same subject. Longitudinal studies also introduce association

Correlation is common in many types of data, including those collected through longitudinal studies or in a hierarchical structure. In the case of clustering, or repeated measurements, there is inherent correlation between observations within the same group, or between observations obtained on the same subject. Longitudinal studies also introduce association between the covariates and the outcomes across time. When multiple outcomes are of interest, association may exist between the various models. These correlations can lead to issues in model fitting and inference if not properly accounted for. This dissertation presents three papers discussing appropriate methods to properly consider different types of association. The first paper introduces an ANOVA based measure of intraclass correlation for three level hierarchical data with binary outcomes, and corresponding properties. This measure is useful for evaluating when the correlation due to clustering warrants a more complex model. This measure is used to investigate AIDS knowledge in a clustered study conducted in Bangladesh. The second paper develops the Partitioned generalized method of moments (Partitioned GMM) model for longitudinal studies. This model utilizes valid moment conditions to separately estimate the varying effects of each time-dependent covariate on the outcome over time using multiple coefficients. The model is fit to data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to investigate risk factors of childhood obesity. In the third paper, the Partitioned GMM model is extended to jointly estimate regression models for multiple outcomes of interest. Thus, this approach takes into account both the correlation between the multivariate outcomes, as well as the correlation due to time-dependency in longitudinal studies. The model utilizes an expanded weight matrix and objective function composed of valid moment conditions to simultaneously estimate optimal regression coefficients. This approach is applied to Add Health data to simultaneously study drivers of outcomes including smoking, social alcohol usage, and obesity in children.
ContributorsIrimata, Kyle (Author) / Wilson, Jeffrey R (Thesis advisor) / Broatch, Jennifer (Committee member) / Kamarianakis, Ioannis (Committee member) / Kao, Ming-Hung (Committee member) / Reiser, Mark R. (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018
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Description
The Partition of Variance (POV) method is a simplistic way to identify large sources of variation in manufacturing systems. This method identifies the variance by estimating the variance of the means (between variance) and the means of the variance (within variance). The project shows that the method correctly identifies the

The Partition of Variance (POV) method is a simplistic way to identify large sources of variation in manufacturing systems. This method identifies the variance by estimating the variance of the means (between variance) and the means of the variance (within variance). The project shows that the method correctly identifies the variance source when compared to the ANOVA method. Although the variance estimators deteriorate when varying degrees of non-normality is introduced through simulation; however, the POV method is shown to be a more stable measure of variance in the aggregate. The POV method also provides non-negative, stable estimates for interaction when compared to the ANOVA method. The POV method is shown to be more stable, particularly in low sample size situations. Based on these findings, it is suggested that the POV is not a replacement for more complex analysis methods, but rather, a supplement to them. POV is ideal for preliminary analysis due to the ease of implementation, the simplicity of interpretation, and the lack of dependency on statistical analysis packages or statistical knowledge.
ContributorsLittle, David John (Author) / Borror, Connie (Thesis advisor) / Montgomery, Douglas C. (Committee member) / Broatch, Jennifer (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2015
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Description
Optimal design theory provides a general framework for the construction of experimental designs for categorical responses. For a binary response, where the possible result is one of two outcomes, the logistic regression model is widely used to relate a set of experimental factors with the probability of a positive

Optimal design theory provides a general framework for the construction of experimental designs for categorical responses. For a binary response, where the possible result is one of two outcomes, the logistic regression model is widely used to relate a set of experimental factors with the probability of a positive (or negative) outcome. This research investigates and proposes alternative designs to alleviate the problem of separation in small-sample D-optimal designs for the logistic regression model. Separation causes the non-existence of maximum likelihood parameter estimates and presents a serious problem for model fitting purposes.

First, it is shown that exact, multi-factor D-optimal designs for the logistic regression model can be susceptible to separation. Several logistic regression models are specified, and exact D-optimal designs of fixed sizes are constructed for each model. Sets of simulated response data are generated to estimate the probability of separation in each design. This study proves through simulation that small-sample D-optimal designs are prone to separation and that separation risk is dependent on the specified model. Additionally, it is demonstrated that exact designs of equal size constructed for the same models may have significantly different chances of encountering separation.

The second portion of this research establishes an effective strategy for augmentation, where additional design runs are judiciously added to eliminate separation that has occurred in an initial design. A simulation study is used to demonstrate that augmenting runs in regions of maximum prediction variance (MPV), where the predicted probability of either response category is 50%, most reliably eliminates separation. However, it is also shown that MPV augmentation tends to yield augmented designs with lower D-efficiencies.

The final portion of this research proposes a novel compound optimality criterion, DMP, that is used to construct locally optimal and robust compromise designs. A two-phase coordinate exchange algorithm is implemented to construct exact locally DMP-optimal designs. To address design dependence issues, a maximin strategy is proposed for designating a robust DMP-optimal design. A case study demonstrates that the maximin DMP-optimal design maintains comparable D-efficiencies to a corresponding Bayesian D-optimal design while offering significantly improved separation performance.
ContributorsPark, Anson Robert (Author) / Montgomery, Douglas C. (Thesis advisor) / Mancenido, Michelle V (Thesis advisor) / Escobedo, Adolfo R. (Committee member) / Pan, Rong (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019