217 research outputs found
Measuring the Nature of Individual Sequences
No full textThis study reviews and compares indicators that can serve to characterize numerically the nature of state sequences. It also introduces several new indicators. Alongside basic measures such as the length, the number of visited distinct states, and the number of state changes, we shall consider composite measures such as turbulence and the complexity index, and measures that take account of the nature (e.g., positive vs. negative or ranking) of the states. The discussion points out the strange behavior of some of the measures—Elzinga's turbulence and the precarity index of Ritschard, Bussi, and O'Reilly in particular—and propositions are made to avoid these flaws. The usage of the indicators is illustrated with two applications using data from the Swiss Household Panel. The first application tests the U-shape hypothesis about the evolution of life satisfaction along the life course, and the second one examines the scarring effect of earlier employment sequences
Performance d'une heuristique d'agrégation optimale bidimensionnelle
No full textCette communication propose une discussion et une étude par simulations de l'efficacité de l'heuristique de Ritschard et al. [RIT 01] pour la recherche simultanée des niveaux d'agrégation optimaux de deux variables catégorielles. L'heuristique consiste en une procédure ascendante où l'on procède successivement au regroupement de deux catégories qui maximise l'amélioration du critère choisi. L'heuristique est comparée à l'exploration exhaustive de toutes les possibilités de regroupement. Les simulations réalisées font apparaître que le gain considérable en temps de calcul peut se traduire par un coût relativement important en termes de pourcentage d'optima globaux manqués mais très limité en termes d'écart par rapport à l'optimum global.This paper discusses the efficiency of Ritschard et al.'s heuristic [RIT 01] for simultaneously determining the optimal aggregation of two categorical variables. The heuristic is a bottom-up algorithm that proceeds successively to the grouping of two categories that maximizes the increase in the selected criteria. The heuristic is compared to the exhaustive scanning of all possible groupings. The simulations reported show that the dramatic reduction in required computation time has a relatively high cost in terms of the percentage of missed optima. They show, nevertheless, that the missed solutions are very close to the global optimum
Arbre BIC optimal et taux d'erreur
No full textNous reconsidérons dans cet article le critère BIC pour arbres d'induction proposé dans Ritschard et Zighed (2003, 2004) et discutons deux aspects liés à sa portée. Le premier concerne les possibilités de le calculer. Nous montrons comment il s'obtient à partir des statistiques du rapport vraisemblance utilisées pour tester l'indépendance ligne-colonne de tables de contingence. Le second point porte sur son intérêt dans une optique de classification. Nous illustrons sur l'exemple du Titanic la relation entre le BIC et le taux d'erreur en généralisation lorsqu'on regarde leur évolution selon la complexité de l'arbre. Nous esquissons un plan d'expérimentation en vue de vérifier la conjecture selon laquelle le BIC minimum assurerait en moyenne le meilleur taux d'erreur en généralisation.We discuss two aspects related to the scope of the BIC index for induction trees proposed in Ritschard et Zighed (2003, 2004). The first point is about how to compute it. We show that the BIC can easily be derived from the Likelihood Ratio Chi-square statistics used for testing the row-column independence of contingency tables. The second aspect is related to its interest for classification purposes. We illustrate, by means of the Titanic example, the expected link between the BIC and the generalization error rate in terms of their evolution with respect to the tree complexity. Finally, we sketch an experiment design for checking empirically the conjecture that the minimal BIC ensures on average the best generalization error rate
Analyzing and Visualizing State Sequences in R with TraMineR
No full textThis article describes the many capabilities offered by the TraMineR toolbox for categorical sequence data. It focuses more specifically on the analysis and rendering of state sequences. Addressed features include the description of sets of sequences by means of transversal aggregated views, the computation of longitudinal characteristics of individual sequences and the measure of pairwise dissimilarities. Special emphasis is put on the multiple ways of visualizing sequences. The core element of the package is the state se- quence object in which we store the set of sequences together with attributes such as the alphabet, state labels and the color palette. The functions can then easily retrieve this information to ensure presentation homogeneity across all printed and graphical displays. The article also demonstrates how TraMineRâÂÂs outcomes give access to advanced analyses such as clustering and statistical modeling of sequence data.
Pour une approche structurale en économie
No full textTowards a structural approach in economics
Manfred Gilli, Gilbert Ritschahd Et Daniel Royer
The article is concerned with a general survey of various structural methods that can be applied to economic models. It first deals with the causal structures (defined by the presence or absence of variables in each relation), emphasizing and justifying the various types of recursive forms and separability properties whisch can be deduced. The scope of qualitative structures is then considered, which take into account the sign of the influence relationships among the various components of the model. In this respect, the most significant conclusions concern the classes of qualitatively linked variables.
After emphasizing the limits encountered in the analysis of these structures, the article takes up the study of linear interval structures. Various methods for exploring the geometric figures that arise from this type of structure are proposed, and the results are interpreted in term of generalized comparative static and multiple criteria analyses.L'article propose une revue d'ensemble des méthodes d'analyse structurale des modèles économiques. Il traite d'abord de l'étude des structures causales (caractérisées par la présence ou l'absence de certaines variables dans chaque relation), mettant en évidence et justifiant les différents types de formes récursives et de séparabilité qui peuvent s'en déduire. L'apport des structures qualitatives est ensuite abordé, qui tient compte du signe des relations d'influence entre les différentes composantes du modèle. En ce sens, les conclusions les plus significatives portent sur les classes de variables liées qualitativement.
Après avoir cerné les limites que rencontre l'analyse de ces deux types de structures, l'article aborde l'étude des structures linéaires par intervalle. Différentes méthodes d'exploration des figures géométriques qui s'en déduisent sont alors proposées, et les résultats obtenus sont interprétés en termes de statique comparative généralisée et d'analyse multicritère.Gilli Manfred, Ritschard Gilbert, Royer Daniel. Pour une approche structurale en économie. In: Revue économique, volume 34, n°2, 1983. pp. 277-304
Strategies for Multidomain Sequence Analysis in Social Research
No full textMultidomain/multichannel sequence analysis has become widely used in social science research to
uncover the underlying relationships between two or more observed trajectories in parallel. For example,
life-course researchers use multidomain sequence analysis to study the parallel unfolding of multiple life-
course domains. In this article, the authors conduct a critical review of the approaches most used in multi-
domain sequence analysis. The parallel unfolding of trajectories in multiple domains is typically analyzed
by building a joint multidomain typology and by examining how domain-specific sequence patterns com-
bine with one another within the multidomain groups. The authors identify four strategies to construct the
joint multidomain typology: proceeding independently of domain costs and distances between domain
sequences, deriving multidomain costs from domain costs, deriving distances between multidomain
sequences from within-domain distances, and combining typologies constructed for each domain. The
second and third strategies are prevalent in the literature and typically proceed additively. The authors
show that these additive procedures assume between-domain independence, and they make explicit the
constraints these procedures impose on between-multidomain costs and distances. Regarding the fourth
strategy, the authors propose a merging algorithm to avoid scarce combined types. As regards the first
strategy, the authors demonstrate, with a real example based on data from the Swiss Household Panel, that
using edit distances with data-driven costs at the multidomain level (i.e., independent of domain costs)
remains easily manageable with more than 200 different multidomain combined states. In addition, the
authors introduce strategies to enhance visualization by types and domains
Les formes du sentiment de responsabilité dans les mentalités contemporaines : une étude empirique
No full textJean Kellerhals, Noëlle Languin, Gilbert Ritschard, Massimo Sardi : Die Formen des Verantwortungsgefühls in den zeitgenössischen Mentalitäten : eine empirische Untersuchung.
Dieser Artikel möchte die geläufigen Begriffe der Zivilverantwortung in den heutigen Mentalitäten aufzeigen. Er tut das auf der Grundlage einer repräsentativen Auswahl einer erwachsenen Stadtbevölkerung (N = 604, Genf und Zürich - Schweiz, 1997). Obwohl die allgemeine Tendenz ein systematisches Schutzbedürfnis der Person zeigt, werden aus der empirischen Untersuchung vier unterschiedliche Philosophien deutlich, die jede ihre besonderen Eigenschaften hat. Der Providentialismus, der eine grosse Handlungsfreiheit mit geringstmöglichen Verpflichtungen beansprucht, der Liberalismus, der sowohl die Willensfreiheit als die deutliche Bejahung der indi viduellen Verantwortung bestätigt, der Gemeinschaftsgeist, der einen Kompromiss zwischen dem Schutzbedürfnis der Personen und einer Eingrenzung ihrer Freiheit durch staatliche Regulierung wertet, und schliesslich der Dirigismus, der Wert legt auf Ordnung und Wirksamkeit, und sowohl einen engen Begriff der Verantwortung als auch eine eingeschränkte Vision der individuellen Rechte befürwortet. Zusammenfassend wird die Verteilung dieser Typen untersucht entsprechend der Identität, den Ressourcen und der sozialen Verankerung der befragten Personen.Jean Kellerhals, Noëlle Languin, Gilbert Ritschard, Massimo Sardi : The different forms of the sense of responsibility in contemporary mentality : an empirical study.
The aim of this article is to report on common conceptions of civil responsibility in the mentality of today. It is based on a representative sample of data for an urban adult population (N = 604, Geneva and Zurich - Switzerland, 1997). Although the global tendency shows a systematic need for protection of the individual, the empirical study also makes apparent four different « philosophies » with each one having its own particular characteristics. Providentialism with a wide freedom of action and a minimum number of obligations, liberalism with both the autonomy of willpower and marked affirmation of individual responsibility, communitarianism where a compromise between the need to protect individuals and a limitation of their freedom by state regulation is promoted, and interventionism, concerned with order and efficiency, legitimizing both a strict conception of responsibility and a restrictive vision of individual rights. To conclude, the distribution of these different types is examined according to the identity, resources and social origins of those interviewed.Cet article vise à rendre compte des conceptions courantes de la responsabilité civile dans les mentalités d'aujourd'hui. Il le fait sur la base d'un échantillon représentatif d'une population adulte urbaine (N = 604, Genève et Zurich - Suisse, 1997). Bien que la tendance générale atteste un besoin systématique de protection de l'individu, il se dégage de la recherche empirique menée quatre « philosophies » différentes qui ont chacune des caractéristiques propres. Le providentialisme qui se réclame d'une grande liberté d'action assortie d'un minimum d'obligations, le libéralisme qui consacre à la fois l'autonomie de la volonté et une affirmation marquée de la responsabilité individuelle, le communautarisme qui valorise un compromis entre le besoin de protection des individus et une limitation de leur liberté par des régulations étatiques et le dirigisme, préoccupé d'ordre et d'efficience, qui légitime à la fois une conception stricte de la responsabilité et une vision restrictive des droits individuels. En conclusion on examine la distribution de ces types selon l'identité, les ressources et l'ancrage social des personnes interrogées.Jean Kellerhals, Noëlle Languin, Gilbert Ritschard, Massimo Sardi : Las formas del sentimiento de responsabilidad en las mentalidades contemporáneas : un estudio empírico.
Este artículo apunta a dar cuenta de las concepciones corrientes de la responsabilidad civil en las mentalidades actuales. Lo hace en base a una muestra representativa de una población adulta urbana (N = 604, Ginebra y Zurich - Suiza, 1997). Aunque la tendencia general testimonia una necesidad sistemática de protección del individuo, de la investigación empírica efectuada se desprenden cuatro «filosofías» diferentes, teniendo cada una sus propias características. El providencialismo que reivindica una gran libertad de acción unido a un mínimo de obligaciones, el liberalismo que al mismo tiempo consagra la autonomia de la voluntad y una firme afirmacion de la responsabilidad individual, el comunitarismo que valoriza un compromiso entre la necesidad de protección de los individuos y una limitación de su libertad por las reglamentaciones estatales y el dirigismo preocupado del orden y de la eficiencia, legitima a la vez una concepción estricta de la responsabilidad y una visión restringida de los derechos individuales. En conclusión se examina la distribución de esos cuatro tipòs de « filosofia » según la identidad, los recursos y la pertenencia social de las personas interrogadas.Kellerhals Jean, Languin Noëlle, Ritschard Gilbert, Sardi Massimo. Les formes du sentiment de responsabilité dans les mentalités contemporaines : une étude empirique. In: Revue française de sociologie, 2000, 41-2. pp. 307-329
Unpacking Configurational Dynamics: Sequence Analysis and Qualitative Comparative Analysis as a Mixed-Method Design
No full textThis chapter proposes a novel sequential mixed-method design that brings together the strengths of sequence analysis (SA) and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). Both methods rely on an epistemological framework that combines analytical and holistic elements: they share the notion of analytically approaching social phenomena without disregarding their complexity. We apply SA as a first step to analyze the unfolding of phenomena over time. Specifically, through discrepancy analysis of state sequences, one can identify the time points when trajectories (start to) diverge from each other. In a second, explanatory step, QCA is applied to investigate whether, at such crucial time points, some particular configurations of factors are logically sufficient for the occurrence of a given state (or outcome). We provide an illustrative application to women’s employment trajectories in divided Germany by using data from the Adults Cohort of the German National Educational Panel (NEPS). By preserving the analytical and holistic perspective on trajectories, our proposed design highlights the dynamic of socio-demographic factors sufficient for women to be in employment or education at critical turning points over the life course. This design takes on the challenge, summarized in Abbott’s call for a ‘processual sociology’, to investigate both the dynamics of social phenomena as lineages of successive events and the complexity of contextual characteristics of ‘present’ moments. We conclude with an overview of research fields where our framework holds the promise of being applied fruitfully, namely life-course research, social stratification studies, policy evaluation, and comparative politics
Validating Tree Descriptions of Women's Labor Participation with Deviance-based Criteria
No full textInternational audienceThis chapter presents a full scaled application of induction trees for non-classificatory purposes. The grown trees are used for high-lighting regional differences in the women's labor participation, by using data from the Swiss Population Census. Hence, the focus is on their descriptive rather than predictive power. A first tree provides evidence for three separate analyses for non-mothers, married or wid-owed mothers, and divorced or single mothers. For each group, trees grown by language regions exhibit fundamental cultural differences supporting the hypothesis of cultural models in female participation. From the methodological standpoint, the main difficulties with such a non-classificatory use of trees have to do with their validation, since 1 the classical classification error rate does not make sense in this setting. We comment on this aspect and propose deviance-based solutions that are both consistent with our non-classificatory usage and easy to compute
Bi dimensional partitioning with limited loss of information
No full textL'aggregazione delle righe e colonne di una tabella a doppia entrata ha un costo in termini di informazione perduta. Con riferimento all'informazione che una variabile fornisce rispetto all'altra, viene affrontato il problema dell'aggregazione con l'obiettivo di massimizzare una misura d'associazione tra la variabile di riga e quella di colonna (ad es. gli indici t di Tschuprow, t di Goodman e Kruskal, tb di Kendall). Viene presentata una procedura euristica introdotta da Ritschard e Nikoloyannis (2000), della quale viene discussa la complessità e l'attendibilità. Tale euristica riduce drasticamente la complessit`a propria della procedura esaustiva consistente nel vaglio di tutti i possibili gruppi. L'attendibilità viene valutata mediante una serie di studi di simulazione. I risultati mostrano che la riduzione di complessità ha un costo relativamente alto in termini di percentuale di ottimi mancanti. Tuttavia si evidenzia che le soluzioni mancate sono molto vicine agli altri ottimi globali
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