Ecological Inference: New Methodological Strategies brings together a diverse group of scholars t... more Ecological Inference: New Methodological Strategies brings together a diverse group of scholars to survey the latest strategies for solving ecological inference problems in various fields. The last half-decade has witnessed an explosion of research in ecological inference; the process of trying to infer individual behavior from aggregate data.
Resumen La Plataforma Pública de Redistritación México (PPRM) es un proyecto que busca generar un... more Resumen La Plataforma Pública de Redistritación México (PPRM) es un proyecto que busca generar un espacio público para que la ciudadanía participe abiertamente en el proceso federal de redistritación y en el resto de las entidades. Por un lado, la plataforma busca que la sociedad civil participe por primera vez en el diseño de las nuevas fronteras electorales federales y locales y, por el otro, busca incrementar los niveles de transparencia en los procesos de redistritación.
Abstract: This article comprises reflections on the changes to the Henry A. Murray Research Archi... more Abstract: This article comprises reflections on the changes to the Henry A. Murray Research Archive, catalyzed by involvement with the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) partnership, and the accompanying introduction of next generation digital library software.
Compilation: The translation of instructions in a programming language into a machine language. M... more Compilation: The translation of instructions in a programming language into a machine language. Machine Language: The set of instructions directly executable by a particular type of computer hardware. Program: a sequence of instructions, written in some programming language, that a computer can execute. Programming Language: An artificial language used to write computer programs that can be translated into a machine language.
Rounding toward zero assures that signifz (signifz (x, digits= m), digits= n)= signifz (x, digits... more Rounding toward zero assures that signifz (signifz (x, digits= m), digits= n)= signifz (x, digits= n) for m> n, an important property for creating approximate fingerprints. It can, however, produce more rounding error than rounding toward nearest. The maximum log relative error (LRE) for the former is (digits-1) while the maximum LRE for the latter is 'digits'. Hence, you may wish to use one more significant digit with signifz than with signif.
Abstract We place evaluating intent as a motive behind a redistricting plan into a formal quantit... more Abstract We place evaluating intent as a motive behind a redistricting plan into a formal quantitative microeconomic framework to evaluate existing and emerging methods, and find that these methods are statistically flawed. In place of classical statistical tests, we formalize a method of revealed preferences to probe intent by comparing aspects of plans that were feasible, but not selected.
Since the 1960's, computers have been regularly promoted as both the salvation of redistricting a... more Since the 1960's, computers have been regularly promoted as both the salvation of redistricting and as a strong corrupting force. On the one hand, computing has been proposed as a way to remove human bias from the process of drawing electoral lines through automation and to detect gerrymanders through geographical and statistical analysis. On the other hand, computers have been accused of enabling redistricting authorities to effortlessly achieve any nefarious goal.
Redistricting is always political, increasingly controversial, and often ugly. Politicians have a... more Redistricting is always political, increasingly controversial, and often ugly. Politicians have always fought tooth-and-nail over district lines, while the courts, for most of their history, considered the subject a thicket too political even to enter. Three decades ago the courts finally entered the political thicket, ruling in Baker v. Carr (1962) that redistricting was justiciable. A decade ago, the court showed signs that it wanted to chop the thicket down, ruling in Davis v. Bandemer (1986) that partisan gerrymanders were actionable.
“The increasing use of linked social-spatial data has created significant uncertainties about the... more “The increasing use of linked social-spatial data has created significant uncertainties about the ability to protect the confidentiality promised to research participants... At this time, however, no known technical strategy… adequately resolves conflicts among the objectives of data linkage, open access, data quality, and confidentiality protection across datasets and data uses”--[Panel on Confidentiality Issues Arising from the Integration of Remotely Sensed and Self-Identifying Data, National Research Council, 2007]
ABSTRACT I show herein how to develop fundable proposals to support your research. Although the p... more ABSTRACT I show herein how to develop fundable proposals to support your research. Although the proposal strategy I discuss is commonly used in successful proposals, most junior faculty (and many senior scholars) in political science and other social sciences seem to be unaware of it. I dispel myths about funding, and discuss how to find funders and target funding programs. I then outline how to write a proposal; and detail how to respond to reviews.
Digital libraries are collections of digital content and services selected by a curator for use b... more Digital libraries are collections of digital content and services selected by a curator for use by a particular user community. Digital libraries offer direct access to the content of a wide variety of intellectual works, including text, audio, video, and data; and may offer a variety of services supporting search, access, and collaboration. In the last decade digital libraries have rapidly become ubiquitous because they offer convenience, expanded access, and search capabilities not present in traditional libraries.
Abstract BARD (Altman and McDonald 2011) is the first (and at time of writing, only) open source ... more Abstract BARD (Altman and McDonald 2011) is the first (and at time of writing, only) open source software package for general redistricting and redistricting analysis. BARD provides methods to create, display, compare, edit, automatically refine, evaluate, and profile political districting plans. BARD aims to provide a framework for scientific analysis of redistricting plans and to facilitate wider public participation in the creation of new plans. BARD facilitates map creation and refinement through command-line, gui, and automatic methods.
Accelerating technological change is one of the defining characteristics of this era. And the int... more Accelerating technological change is one of the defining characteristics of this era. And the intersection of information, technology, and politics is a constantly changing arena. Technological change can provide the subject for political debate, such as in the controversy over electronic voting (see Tokaji 2005); affect the means by which politics is conducted, such as in the use of information technologies to provide government services and collect regulatory feedback (see Fountain 2001; West 2005; and Mayer-Schonberger and Lazer 2007); or challenge our understanding of political theories and concepts, such as the meaning of privacy and of the public sphere (see Etzioni 2000 and Sunstein 2007 on the meaning of privacy and the compartmentalization of “public” speech, Bimber 2003 on the effect of information technologies on democracy, and Benkler 2006 on the reinterpretation of the public sphere). Each of these perspectives is visible locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
In this short note, we discuss the basic approach to computational modeling of dynamical systems.... more In this short note, we discuss the basic approach to computational modeling of dynamical systems. If a dynamical system contains multiple time scales, ranging from very fast to slow, computational solution of the dynamical system can be very costly. By resolving the fast time scales in a short time simulation, a model for the effect of the small time scale variation on large time scales can be determined, making solution possible on a long time interval. This process of computational modeling can be completely automated. Two examples are presented, including a simple model problem oscillating at a time scale of 10 −9 computed over the time interval [0, 100], and a lattice consisting of large and small point masses.
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) of the National Science Founda... more The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) communicates its science and engineering (S\&E) information to data users in a very fluid environment that is undergoing modernization at a pace at which data producer dissemination practices, protocols, and technologies, on one hand, and user demands and capabilities, on the other, are changing faster
Most empirical social scientists are surprised that low-level numerical issues in software can ha... more Most empirical social scientists are surprised that low-level numerical issues in software can have deleterious effects on the estimation process. Statistical analyses that appear to be perfectly successful can be invalidated by concealed numerical problems. We have developed a set of tools, contained in accuracy, a package for R and S-PLUS, to diagnose problems stemming from numerical and measurement error and to improve the accuracy of inferences. The tools included in accuracy include a framework for gauging the computational stability of model results, tools for comparing model results, optimization diagnostics, and tools for collecting entropy for true random numbers generation.
Ecological Inference: New Methodological Strategies brings together a diverse group of scholars t... more Ecological Inference: New Methodological Strategies brings together a diverse group of scholars to survey the latest strategies for solving ecological inference problems in various fields. The last half-decade has witnessed an explosion of research in ecological inference; the process of trying to infer individual behavior from aggregate data.
Resumen La Plataforma Pública de Redistritación México (PPRM) es un proyecto que busca generar un... more Resumen La Plataforma Pública de Redistritación México (PPRM) es un proyecto que busca generar un espacio público para que la ciudadanía participe abiertamente en el proceso federal de redistritación y en el resto de las entidades. Por un lado, la plataforma busca que la sociedad civil participe por primera vez en el diseño de las nuevas fronteras electorales federales y locales y, por el otro, busca incrementar los niveles de transparencia en los procesos de redistritación.
Abstract: This article comprises reflections on the changes to the Henry A. Murray Research Archi... more Abstract: This article comprises reflections on the changes to the Henry A. Murray Research Archive, catalyzed by involvement with the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) partnership, and the accompanying introduction of next generation digital library software.
Compilation: The translation of instructions in a programming language into a machine language. M... more Compilation: The translation of instructions in a programming language into a machine language. Machine Language: The set of instructions directly executable by a particular type of computer hardware. Program: a sequence of instructions, written in some programming language, that a computer can execute. Programming Language: An artificial language used to write computer programs that can be translated into a machine language.
Rounding toward zero assures that signifz (signifz (x, digits= m), digits= n)= signifz (x, digits... more Rounding toward zero assures that signifz (signifz (x, digits= m), digits= n)= signifz (x, digits= n) for m> n, an important property for creating approximate fingerprints. It can, however, produce more rounding error than rounding toward nearest. The maximum log relative error (LRE) for the former is (digits-1) while the maximum LRE for the latter is 'digits'. Hence, you may wish to use one more significant digit with signifz than with signif.
Abstract We place evaluating intent as a motive behind a redistricting plan into a formal quantit... more Abstract We place evaluating intent as a motive behind a redistricting plan into a formal quantitative microeconomic framework to evaluate existing and emerging methods, and find that these methods are statistically flawed. In place of classical statistical tests, we formalize a method of revealed preferences to probe intent by comparing aspects of plans that were feasible, but not selected.
Since the 1960's, computers have been regularly promoted as both the salvation of redistricting a... more Since the 1960's, computers have been regularly promoted as both the salvation of redistricting and as a strong corrupting force. On the one hand, computing has been proposed as a way to remove human bias from the process of drawing electoral lines through automation and to detect gerrymanders through geographical and statistical analysis. On the other hand, computers have been accused of enabling redistricting authorities to effortlessly achieve any nefarious goal.
Redistricting is always political, increasingly controversial, and often ugly. Politicians have a... more Redistricting is always political, increasingly controversial, and often ugly. Politicians have always fought tooth-and-nail over district lines, while the courts, for most of their history, considered the subject a thicket too political even to enter. Three decades ago the courts finally entered the political thicket, ruling in Baker v. Carr (1962) that redistricting was justiciable. A decade ago, the court showed signs that it wanted to chop the thicket down, ruling in Davis v. Bandemer (1986) that partisan gerrymanders were actionable.
“The increasing use of linked social-spatial data has created significant uncertainties about the... more “The increasing use of linked social-spatial data has created significant uncertainties about the ability to protect the confidentiality promised to research participants... At this time, however, no known technical strategy… adequately resolves conflicts among the objectives of data linkage, open access, data quality, and confidentiality protection across datasets and data uses”--[Panel on Confidentiality Issues Arising from the Integration of Remotely Sensed and Self-Identifying Data, National Research Council, 2007]
ABSTRACT I show herein how to develop fundable proposals to support your research. Although the p... more ABSTRACT I show herein how to develop fundable proposals to support your research. Although the proposal strategy I discuss is commonly used in successful proposals, most junior faculty (and many senior scholars) in political science and other social sciences seem to be unaware of it. I dispel myths about funding, and discuss how to find funders and target funding programs. I then outline how to write a proposal; and detail how to respond to reviews.
Digital libraries are collections of digital content and services selected by a curator for use b... more Digital libraries are collections of digital content and services selected by a curator for use by a particular user community. Digital libraries offer direct access to the content of a wide variety of intellectual works, including text, audio, video, and data; and may offer a variety of services supporting search, access, and collaboration. In the last decade digital libraries have rapidly become ubiquitous because they offer convenience, expanded access, and search capabilities not present in traditional libraries.
Abstract BARD (Altman and McDonald 2011) is the first (and at time of writing, only) open source ... more Abstract BARD (Altman and McDonald 2011) is the first (and at time of writing, only) open source software package for general redistricting and redistricting analysis. BARD provides methods to create, display, compare, edit, automatically refine, evaluate, and profile political districting plans. BARD aims to provide a framework for scientific analysis of redistricting plans and to facilitate wider public participation in the creation of new plans. BARD facilitates map creation and refinement through command-line, gui, and automatic methods.
Accelerating technological change is one of the defining characteristics of this era. And the int... more Accelerating technological change is one of the defining characteristics of this era. And the intersection of information, technology, and politics is a constantly changing arena. Technological change can provide the subject for political debate, such as in the controversy over electronic voting (see Tokaji 2005); affect the means by which politics is conducted, such as in the use of information technologies to provide government services and collect regulatory feedback (see Fountain 2001; West 2005; and Mayer-Schonberger and Lazer 2007); or challenge our understanding of political theories and concepts, such as the meaning of privacy and of the public sphere (see Etzioni 2000 and Sunstein 2007 on the meaning of privacy and the compartmentalization of “public” speech, Bimber 2003 on the effect of information technologies on democracy, and Benkler 2006 on the reinterpretation of the public sphere). Each of these perspectives is visible locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
In this short note, we discuss the basic approach to computational modeling of dynamical systems.... more In this short note, we discuss the basic approach to computational modeling of dynamical systems. If a dynamical system contains multiple time scales, ranging from very fast to slow, computational solution of the dynamical system can be very costly. By resolving the fast time scales in a short time simulation, a model for the effect of the small time scale variation on large time scales can be determined, making solution possible on a long time interval. This process of computational modeling can be completely automated. Two examples are presented, including a simple model problem oscillating at a time scale of 10 −9 computed over the time interval [0, 100], and a lattice consisting of large and small point masses.
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) of the National Science Founda... more The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) communicates its science and engineering (S\&E) information to data users in a very fluid environment that is undergoing modernization at a pace at which data producer dissemination practices, protocols, and technologies, on one hand, and user demands and capabilities, on the other, are changing faster
Most empirical social scientists are surprised that low-level numerical issues in software can ha... more Most empirical social scientists are surprised that low-level numerical issues in software can have deleterious effects on the estimation process. Statistical analyses that appear to be perfectly successful can be invalidated by concealed numerical problems. We have developed a set of tools, contained in accuracy, a package for R and S-PLUS, to diagnose problems stemming from numerical and measurement error and to improve the accuracy of inferences. The tools included in accuracy include a framework for gauging the computational stability of model results, tools for comparing model results, optimization diagnostics, and tools for collecting entropy for true random numbers generation.
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Papers by Micah Altman