Descriptive Inference Research Articles

The net zero wave: identifying patterns in the uptake and robustness of national and corporate net zero targets 2015–2023

ABSTRACT Since the 2015 Paris Agreement, a growing number of states and firms have adopted targets to reach net zero emissions. These pledges vary significantly both in the timing of adoption and in robustness – measured by whether they adopt procedural best practices. We introduce a novel time-series dataset measuring the uptake and robustness of net zero targets of states and the world’s largest listed firms between 2015 and 2023. The new data allow us to identify patterns that speak to a key debate in the literature: what explains the rapid uptake of net zero targets by firms and countries? Descriptive inference yields several insights. First, the timing of net zero adoption by both states and firms strongly tracks international mobilization efforts, highlighting the importance of the United Nations (UN) process for target setting. Second, on average, firms set targets before countries. Third, there is an increase in some best practices for companies, such as setting interim targets and including Scope three emissions in targets, alongside a lack of progress in others, such as safeguards on the use of offsetting. Importantly, we do not find significant variation in timing or robustness of net zero pledges across firms in different sectors. For countries, early adopters tend to have more robust targets from the beginning than late adopters, suggesting the latter may be adopting more symbolic targets. In sum, our results show the rapid growth of the net zero wave, but also its limits in driving robust targets.

The politics of descriptive inference: contested concepts in conflict data

The politics of descriptive inference: contested concepts in conflict data

A descriptive study to assess the level of perception and satisfaction regarding online learning among undergraduate nursing students in selected nursing college, Guwahati, Assam

The COVID 19 pandemic has disrupted the educational system and lead to a drastic shift of professional undergraduate teaching for nursing students into online mode. The definition of satisfaction in online learning is complex and multidimensional and includes manufacturers such as communication student participation in online discussion flexibility workload technology support and feedback. Satisfaction with online learning is based on three learning theories: -social cognitive theory interaction equivalency theory and social integration theory. There is a growing body of literature showing that satisfaction has a positive relationship with student engagement and academic performance the quality of learning is effectiveness success and institutional cost-effectiveness. To assess the students’ level of perception regarding online learning. To determine the level of satisfaction regarding online learning.A descriptive study of 138 sample nursing students. Qualitative research approach was used in this study and convience sampling techniques was used Research methodology means an agreement that depicts how, at what times and information is to be collected and scrutinized. It involves all the approach, to answer the research problem. The techniques used to structure a study and to gather and analyze information in a systematic fashion is referred as the research methodology. It includes the steps, action and approaches for the gathering and analyzing the data. The present study adopts a qualitative research approach.: The data analysis was done with the help of descriptive inference statistics for level of satisfaction. 88(63.76%) of undergraduate nursing student had moderate level of satisfaction regarding online learning. 30(21.73%) undergraduate nursing student had poor level of satisfaction regarding online learning and 20(14.49%) undergraduate students had good level of satisfaction. For perception the majority i.e., 90(65%) of undergraduate nursing student had poor perception, 43(32%) of undergraduate nursing student had moderate perception and 5(3.6%) of undergraduate nursing student had good perception regarding online learning.: Nursing is the practice where we can learn theoretically as well as practically. The online learning has played a major role in the development of the skill and knowledge of the nurses and nursing student, in order to that the study which we have conducted says that The e-learning has affected the level of perception and satisfaction among the nursing undergraduate student.

Descriptive inference using large, unrepresentative nonprobability samples: An introduction for ecologists.

Biodiversity monitoring usually involves drawing inferences about some variable of interest across a defined landscape from observations made at a sample of locations within that landscape. If the variable of interest differs between sampled and nonsampled locations, and no mitigating action is taken, then the sample is unrepresentative and inferences drawn from it will be biased. It is possible to adjust unrepresentative samples so that they more closely resemble the wider landscape in terms of "auxiliary variables." A good auxiliary variable is a common cause of sample inclusion and the variable of interest, and if it explains an appreciable portion of the variance in both, then inferences drawn from the adjusted sample will be closer to the truth. We applied six types of survey sample adjustment-subsampling, quasirandomization, poststratification, superpopulation modeling, a "doubly robust" procedure, and multilevel regression and poststratification-to a simple two-part biodiversity monitoring problem. The first part was to estimate the mean occupancy of the plant Calluna vulgaris in Great Britain in two time periods (1987-1999 and 2010-2019); the second was to estimate the difference between the two (i.e., the trend). We estimated the means and trend using large, but (originally) unrepresentative, samples from a citizen science dataset. Compared with the unadjusted estimates, the means and trends estimated using most adjustment methods were more accurate, although standard uncertainty intervals generally did not cover the true values. Completely unbiased inference is not possible from an unrepresentative sample without knowing and having data on all relevant auxiliary variables. Adjustments can reduce the bias if auxiliary variables are available and selected carefully, but the potential for residual bias should be acknowledged and reported.

Advocacy strategies in state preemption: The case of energy fuel bans

AbstractInterest group literature suggests reformer advocacy groups, seeking policy change and innovation, are more likely to secure policy victory in local government. Entrenched advocacy groups, favoring current policies, are better suited to win policy battles at the state level. Consequently, entrenched groups have pushed state legislatures to limit local governments' decision authorities through preemption across a wide range of public‐interest issues including tobacco use, gun control, marriage rights, and climate change. Yet few studies have considered how competing advocacy groups strategically frame their agenda in preemption debates. We draw on the “scope of conflict” literature to show that opposing camps vary in their issue definition, relational strategies, and institutional frames. For example, while entrenched advocates focus on the main issue under debate, reformer advocates link multiple issues together. Our study case is preemption legislation that prohibits local governments from banning energy fuels like natural gas in new buildings. We use computational text analysis and descriptive inference to analyze state committee testimony of 117 advocacy groups. Results raise important questions about the effectiveness of conflict expansion strategies in venues like committee systems and provide considerations for reformer advocates in their efforts to secure state support and build clean energy campaigns.

External Financing of Budget on Sustainable Economic Growth in Nigeria

The papers attempt to validate/invalidate economic growth sustainability vis-à-vis external financing of budget in Nigeria. The external financing channels - multilateral, Paris Club, London Club, promissory notes, bilateral, Euro bond, diaspora debts, and others - were tracked in relation to economic growth sustainability. The data is accessed from Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research [EDGAR], the World Bank Development Indicator (WDI), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin, for forty years (1981 to 2020). The study analysis follows plotting the visual trend of the series to ascertain its movement over time. Likewise, descriptive inference – skewness (sk), Kurtosis (k) & Jacque-Bera (JB) statistics were inferred for series normality. Also, Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test, cointegration, vector autoregression (VAR), and the impulse response function (IRF) technique formed the basis of the estimation tools. Finding validates that there is no significant long-run relationship between external financing of the budget and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria. As a result, a reduction, and or a stop to further contracting external financing for budget purposes, and ensuring a funding-project-tied, is strongly recommended.

How Worried Should We Be? The Implications of Fabricated Survey Data for Political Science

AbstractSurveys are ubiquitous in the study of politics, making enumerator fabrication a critical issue. A prevailing view is that faked interviews affect inferences drawn from compromised datasets. Researchers have generated theories about how fabrication might affect inferences. Yet, speculation has outpaced systematic testing. We leverage a rare dataset to address this gap: a national face-to-face survey in Venezuela in which a uniquely high volume of falsified interviews was detected, canceled, and replaced. Comparing the verified and fraudulent datasets, we find that descriptive inference is sometimes affected, but correlational results hold, even in a dataset with an unusually high-fabrication rate. Enumerators largely fabricate plausible data. Though still egregious, enumerator fabrication may not constitute a grave threat to political science research.

An Empirical Study on the High-Quality Development of “Specified, Refined, Characterized, and Innovative” Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises under the Background of “Dual Circulation”: A Case Study of Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province

China attaches importance to the development of “specified, refined, characterized, innovative (SRCI)” small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under the background of the major strategic adjustment of the new pattern of “dual circulation.” This study studies the willingness and influencing factors of SMEs through questionnaire survey, interview, and data mining of 147 technology-based SMEs, 20 “SRCI” small giant enterprises, and 146 NEEQ-listed enterprises by descriptive statistics and inference statistics. To promote “SRCI” quality development of SMEs, the policy suggestions are guided to consummate the related industry, the established companies’ cultivation library are improved, the public service platform of SMEs is established and improved, enterprises are guided to enhance independent innovation ability by “patent” to strengthen the innovative service supportability, and SMEs are guided to strengthen the echelon construction of talent team with the standard of high-quality development. Suggestions on strengthening the support for the listing of high-quality enterprises can provide a reference for the management of decision-making and enterprise practice of government departments.

DP 0265 - Brazilian Maritime Gdp, Social, Economic and Environmental Motivations for its Measurement and Monitoring

The interaction between the sea and the economy gives this environment enormous strategic importance. The forms of economic exploitation are diverse and include sectors such as energy, fishing, tourism, transportation, biotechnology, and shipbuilding. For Brazil, country with an extensive coastline and vast maritime space, its relevance is especially evident. In this scenario, it is fundamental to elaborate public policies aimed at maritime economic activities. For this purpose, a survey of the numbers referring to such activities is essential for a correct understanding of their dimension. Thus, the objective of this text is to point out the importance of measuring in a continuous and systematic way the Brazilian Maritime GDP, through a specific methodology, as well as to identify the main motivation for this initiative. Based on the descriptive inference method and on bibliographic survey, it was possible to verify the need to use updated data to support the formulation of public policies and decision-making on the subject, as well as to broaden the debate within other actors, such as academia, private sector and civil society.

An assessment of the impact of professional development and training on job performance of library staff in Federal University Oye Ekiti libraries, Nigeria

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of professional training and development for librarians/library staff in the southwest, Nigeria; especially the Federal University of OyeEkiti, Nigeria. Thus, this study intends to assess the impact of staff professional development and training on the job performance of library staff in the Federal University Oye Ekiti, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe descriptive survey research design was used in carrying out this study. The population of study cuts across all library staff/attendants in the Federal University Oye Ekiti departmental, faculty and the university libraries. The purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the sample for the study (77 library staff). Research instruments, developed by the researchers, Staff Development Programme Questionnaire (r = 0.79), Staff performance Questionnaire (r = 0.81), Challenges of Staff Professional Development and Training Questionnaire (r = 0.82), were used for data collection. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts and percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inference statistics (correlation and one-way ANOVA) at a 5% level of significance.FindingsResults revealed that the level of the job performance of library staff in Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) is high; there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between the professional development of library staff and their performance in the job; professional development and training of library staff significantly impact their job performance; orientation, in-house training, seminars, on-the-job training and instructor-led training.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was limited to the university libraries in the Federal University Oye Ekiti, Nigeria. The variables used in this study were restricted to training and development of library staff and job performance of librarians in FUOYE, and professional development programmes available for FUOYE librarians.Practical implicationsOther forms of professional development programmes such as Distance Educational Programmes, Conferences/Workshops, Study visits, Formal professional library education and TETFUND Programmes should be made available for university library staff. Universities should always organise staff professional development programmes; since it enhances the job performance of library staff.Originality/valueThis article is original and has not been published elsewhere.

PENGARUH PERPUTARAN MODAL KERJA, DAN PROFITABILITAS TERHADAP KINERJA KEUANGAN PADA BMT SYARIAH DI JALAN VETERAN YOGYAKARTA

The purpose of this study was to examine: (1) the partial effect of working capital turnover on financial performance, (2) the partial effect of profitability on financial performance, and (3) the simultaneous effect of working capital turnover and profitability on financial performance at BMT Syariah in Yogyakarta Veterans Street. This research is related to the use of quantitative methods, descriptive inference and statistical analysis methods. The data collection technique used the quarterly financial reports of BMT Syariah on Jalan Veteran Yogyakarta which was released from January 2015 to December 2019. The data analysis technique used multiple regression analysis. The results showed that there was (1) partial effect of working capital turnover on financial performance. (2) There is a partial effect of profitability on financial performance. (3) There is a simultaneous effect of working capital turnover and profitability on financial performance.

Mathematical Anxiety and Its Relation to Engineering Student Achievement at Local University

Mathematical anxiety is a negative emotion experienced towards mathematics, which can influence a student's achievement in the subject. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the relationship of mathematical anxiety with the achievement of engineering students at local universities. The design of the survey study used a quantitative approach and was conducted to obtain the necessary information. The Revised Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (RMARS) questionnaire containing 35 items and using a five-point Likert scale was distributed to a total of 293 respondents who were selected through simple random sampling. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis, and inference and regression. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 23.0 was used to analyse the study data and then answer the research questions. The findings of the study revealed that the level of mathematical anxiety among engineering students was at a high level. In addition, the study showed that there was no significant relationship between mathematical anxiety and achievement of engineering students in terms of RMARS (r = 0.051, p = 0.381), GM (r = 0.102, p = 0.982), CM (r = 0.074, p = 0.205), and SE (r = 0.187, p = 0.001). A proposed improvement which could be implemented in future studies would be to increase the size of the sample and universities involved to study aspects of mathematical anxiety among engineering students. It is hoped that this study will be able to provide information to universities so that moral support can be provided to engineering students who have a high level of mathematical anxiety. Furthermore, this study is also expected to be a guide for further research in an effort to identify the factors that motivate engineering students to overcome the problem of mathematical anxiety.

Malay Language Learning Strategies Use Among Chinese Student Through Attitude And Learning Skills

This study was conducted to identify the Malay language learning strategies (MLLS) and frequency through language skill use among Chinese students in Muar, Johor. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of language learning strategies (LLS) by attitude. A total of 181 Chinese students form 4 selected for this study. The sample selection was random. This research uses a questionnaire as a major research tool to gather information about the use of language learning strategies. The instrument uses a Likert scale of 1 to 5. Data were analyzed using Statistic Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0. The questionnaire is divided into three parts, namely demographic information, the Malay language learning strategies and attitudes. The questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and statistical inference. The findings show that Chinese students use LLS as a whole in the medium level (mean = 3.45). Speaking strategies (mean = 3.55) was the highest strategy followed a strategy used to hear (mean = 3.53), write (mean = 3.43) and read (mean = 3.29). Student attitudes towards learning languages showing a moderate level (mean = 3.49). The results showed that the use of LLS influenced by the attitudes of students when studying Malay language. In conclusion, these findings could be used to some extent by the various parties to take learning strategies as a means to enhance Malay language proficiency among students, especially non-Malay students.

A INOVAÇÃO NO BRASIL: A ANÁLISE DOCUMENTAL DO DECRETO Nº 61.056/1967

Este artigo analisa a política de fomento público à inovação no momento em que ela começou a ser sistematizada, ou seja, no momento da constituição da Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (Finep), na década de 1960. O objetivo é o de analisar como tal sistematização foi operacionalizada, reconhecendo as condições de possibilidade e as limitações deste processo. A metodologia adotada neste trabalho é a análise documental do decreto de criação da Finep, tal como elaborada por André Cellard (2008). Nesta linha, procede-se a uma análise prévia do documento, levando em consideração, entre outros elementos, os contextos econômico, político e social, bem como a sua lógica interna. Por fim, a inferência descritiva consiste na explicitação dos elementos que foram relevantes para elaboração do documento legal, de modo a finalmente indicar como as políticas de fomento público à inovação podem ser executadas.

Refined descriptive sample inference in the estimation of the cumulative distribution function

In this paper, we compare the estimators of the cumulative distribution function obtained by the refined descriptive (RD) sample and simple random (SR) sample, and show that the one obtained by RD sample is more efficient than that obtained by SR sample. For this purpose, we have compared the probability structure of RD sample and SR sample where the latter is generated using the principle of the RD sampling method. Simulation results of different distributions are given to validate the proposed theoretical comparison.

Sea Toll: A Way to Save The Economic of East Indonesia Through East Java

East Java is part of the international global supply chain and the gateway of trade to eastern Indonesia. East Java became the center of trade links to East Indonesia where this connection was strengthened by Tol Laut which is a subsidized cruise to and from Eastern Indonesia. The Covid-19 pandemic that infected East Java led to a decrease in people’s purchasing power and caused the trade sector to contract. This economic contraction caused shock in supply and demand. This research aims to explore the potential of East Java to rebound from economic contraction due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis methods used are descriptive analysis and inference analysis using the panel’s spatial regression analysis method. As a result of this study, Tol Laut is a solution to resurrect and save the economy in Eastern Indonesia by lowering transportation costs thus refueling interregional trade.

The Effect of Implementing Strategy Management on Improving The Quality of Education of Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 North Bengkulu

The purpose of this research, namely: (1) To find out the management of strategies in Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 North Bengkulu Regency (2) To know the improvement of the quality of education in Madrasah Aliyah State 1 North Bengkulu District (3) To know the effect of implementing strategy management on improving the quality of education in Madrasah Aliyah State 1 North Bengkulu District Sample in this study is the entire number of educators and educational personnel namely 30 people, and the sample used by researchers is "saturated sample". The data analysis techniques used are descriptive statistical analysis and inference statistical analysis using simple regression. The results of the descriptive statistical analysis showed strategy management was in the moderate category with a percentage of 66.67%, and the improvement in the quality of education was in the moderate category of 53.67%. The results of the inference statistical analysis show the value thitung = 2,968 ≥ ttabel = 2,048, then HO is rejected. Based on these results, it can be concluded that strategy management has an effect on improving the quality of education in Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 North Bengkulu Regency. With the implementation of effective and efficient strategy management will affect the quality of education so as to produce maximum school quality and in accordance with customer expectations

Validating Vignette Designs with Real-world Data: A Study of Legal Mobilization in Response to Land Grievances in Rural China

AbstractHow well do vignette designs capture actual behaviour in the real world? This study employs original survey data featuring both hypothetical vignettes and behavioural questions in order to assess the external validity of descriptive and causal inferences in survey experiments. The survey was conducted in a three-province, probability-proportional-to-size sample of 1,897 rural residents in China and focuses on the legal mobilization of citizens in response to grievances involving land rights. In terms of descriptive inference, we find that relative to the behavioural benchmark, hypothetical vignettes significantly over-estimate legal mobilization in response to a grievance, particularly for higher-cost actions like petitioning the government and litigating in court. We find that data from hypothetical vignettes affect causal inference as well, producing significantly different results regarding the effect of political connections and legal knowledge on legal mobilization. The study makes a contribution by identifying conditions under which hypothetical vignettes are less likely to produce valid inference. It engages a rich literature on disputing and legal mobilization in the field of Chinese politics and helps to resolve debates over the role of political connections and legal knowledge.

FAKTOR-FAKTOR PENENTU STRUKTUR MODAL PADA PERUSAHAAN PROPERTY, REAL ESTATE, AND BUILDING CONSTRUCTION YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA

This research aims to analyze how much influence the profitability, tangibility, growth opportunities, non-debt tax shields, free cash flow on capital structure with company size as a moderating variable. Data analysis model used in this research is descriptive statistical analysis and inference. The population in this research are property, real estate and building construction companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the period of 2013-2017. The samples were selected by using purposive sampling of 45 companies which sample companies collected with the criteria of having financial reports in a row during the research period. The research results show that the variable of profitability, tangibility, free cash flow had a negative and significant effect on capital structure. While the growth opportunity variable has a positive and significant effect on capital structure. Non-debt tax shields have no effect on capital structure. In addition, company size as a moderating variable has a significant effect as moderation between the relationship of tangibility to capital structure and growth opportunities to capital structure, but does not moderate the relationship of profitability to capital structure, non-debt tax shields to capital structure and free cash flow to capital structure.

Factors Related to the Quality of Life in the Context of Deaf Sign Language Users in Brazil

Introduction: Deaf sign language users population often has been facing linguistic difficulties regarding to interacting with people who are not aware, who have not learnt about using sign language, such difficulties may have been revealing serious consequences to their social, emotional and also cognitive development. Objective: This study has aimed to analyze the factors which may be associated with the best scoring of Quality of Life (QOL) in a group of deaf Brazilian sign language (Libras) users. Methods: It is a quantitative study, whose data collection has been assessing using the WHOQOL-BREF scale and a sample profile questionnaire as well. Sixty (60) deaf Libras users, who has been living in Southern region of Brazil have participated. Statistical analysis was used by means of descriptive statistical methods and inference methods, considering the significance level of 0.05 (5%). Results: Results have evidenced that total mean scoring in the WHOQOL-BREF was 43.3%. The domain with the highest scoring was Social Relationships (64.31%), and the lowest-scoring was Environment (54.77%).