Gov2001 May 2008

gov2001@lists.gking.harvard.edu

18 participants
17 discussions

[gov2001-l] Explaining statistical models in the final paper

by seanli＠fas.harvard.edu

My partner and I are writing our paper based on a statistical method that is relatively simple to explain conceptually, but whose details are fairly sophisticated. (Specifically, we're using simultaneous time series forecasting as developed in Gary's book *Demographic Forecasting* and implemented in Gary's package YourCast.) It would take quite a few pages to fully explain all of the math behind the model we're using (it takes up several chapters in *Demographic Forecasting*). Since we face space constraints, would it be acceptable to reference sections of *Demographic Forecasting* instead of deriving the precise formulas in our paper? Basically, how much of the model should we try to explain mathematically, and how much should we rely on Gary's book to provide explanation? Thanks, Sean

16 years

[gov2001-l] problem with setx

by johns18＠fas.harvard.edu

I am trying to use setx and am running into the following error. > gen.low <- setx(z.out2, nkrace = median, nkgender = 1, nkhourly = median, age = median, soc.desir = median, nkorient = median, nativity1 = median, language1 = median, nkedu = median, pi= median, site.type = median, union = median, nkclass = median, nkcogender1= median, nkcorace = median) Error in as.vector(x, "double") : cannot coerce to vector z.out2 was computed using Zelig and has a bunch of dummy variables, which I suspect could be part ot this problem. Does anyone have any ideas? thanks!

16 years

[gov2001-l] READ ME (Final Paper Details)

by jmlarson＠fas.harvard.edu

Hi 2001, Here are some long-awaited details on your papers. YOUR PAPER MUST BE 20 PAGES OR FEWER, COUNTING TABLES AND FIGURES, DOUBLE SPACED, 12PT FONT, 1 INCH MARGINS. Papers are due at 5pm EST Monday, May 5th. Please submit 2 hard copies of your paper to Jenn's 'mailbox' (the hanging folder in the department offices on the first floor of CGIS N). If you are unable to deliver hard copies, submit your final paper to the dropbox. We will request your code and data at our discretion. No need to submit anything but the paper itself on the 5th.* * Note the page limit above. And in Publication Publication. And in past emails. And in future emails. No more than 20 pages. The goal is to succinctly and convincingly deliver a point. Long papers lose readers and reviewers. (anyone who has read the 40pg papers in International Organization knows). Publication Publication contains many extremely useful tips and guidelines written by and/or endorsed by the graders of your paper. Good luck in the final days, Jen[n/s]

16 years

[gov2001-l] Testing for a non-linear relationship

by acolin＠fas.harvard.edu

Hi all, A basic question: we are trying to test for a nonlinear relationship between a covariate X and a dependent variable Y by breaking up X into categories and associating a dummy variable with each category. Dummy variable Di will be 1 iff X falls into corresponding interval i. We get insignificant results and are not sure if we can still make conclusions based on them: Coefficients: Estimate Std. Error z value Pr(>|z|) AccuracyMean0 -0.06717 0.12826 -0.52 0.60049 AccuracyMean1 0.21580 0.11777 1.83 0.06690 . AccuracyMean2 0.27100 0.11473 2.36 0.01817 * AccuracyMean3 0.29183 0.12434 2.35 0.01892 * AccuracyMean4 0.06906 0.12720 0.54 0.58721 The count of observations in each interval looks reasonable: Inverval#: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 Observations: 816, 1686, 4226, 4012, 2107 Is a conclusion such as: "when AccuracyMean becomes high, its relationship with Y becomes weaker since the coefficient is much smaller (0.06 << 0.2)" valid? Or does the insignificance of D0 and D4 not allow for such conclusion? Thank you for your time!! -Alexei

16 years

[gov2001-l] using whatif with zelig

by keith.schnakenberg＠gmail.com

When I give WhatIf a command like this: summary(whatif(data= model1, cfact= treat1)) where model1 is the zelig model and treat1 is a setx object, I get the following error: Error in whatif(data = model1, cfact = treat1) : the list supplied to 'data' is not a valid output object I am not sure why this is the case. I did not get this error using the same setup on last week's problem set, for example. What might be some reasons for this?

16 years

[gov2001-l] Replication clinic (instead of section) and 20 page maximum

by jmlarson＠fas.harvard.edu

Hi 2001, Due to popular demand, we will host a walk-in clinic during the normal section times tomorrow (Thursday, May 1). Feel free to drop by with questions about your papers. You can submit problem set 8 in person at the clinic, or as a hard copy to Jenn's mailbox in the department offices of CGIS North, or as an electronic file to the website dropbox. Details about submitting final papers will follow soon- watch the list. Refer to Publication Publication for specific paper guidelines. In particular, note p.121: "Papers should be no longer than about 20 pages (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt, including figures, tables and references)." Extension students taking the course for a grade who are not writing a paper should also watch the list- details about the final project will be posted within the next few days. You're in the home stretch- press on. Jen[n/s]

16 years

[gov2001-l] Section?

by seanli＠fas.harvard.edu

I may have missed this announcement, but will there be any sections this week? Sean

16 years

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Gov2001 May 2008