Tilburg University

About: Tilburg University is a education organization based out in Tilburg, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 5550 authors who have published 22330 publications receiving 791335 citations.

State-of-the-Art Review: A User's Guide to the Brave New World of Designing Simulation Experiments

Abstract: Many simulation practitioners can get more from their analyses by using the statistical theory on design of experiments (DOE) developed specifically for exploring computer models. We discuss a toolkit of designs for simulators with limited DOE expertise who want to select a design and an appropriate analysis for their experiments. Furthermore, we provide a research agenda listing problems in the design of simulation experiments-as opposed to real-world experiments-that require more investigation. We consider three types of practical problems: (1) developing a basic understanding of a particular simulation model or system, (2) finding robust decisions or policies as opposed to so-called optimal solutions, and (3) comparing the merits of various decisions or policies. Our discussion emphasizes aspects that are typical for simulation, such as having many more factors than in real-world experiments, and the sequential nature of the data collection. Because the same problem type may be addressed through different design types, we discuss quality attributes of designs, such as the ease of design construction, the flexibility for analysis, and efficiency considerations. Moreover, the selection of the design type depends on the metamodel (response surface) that the analysts tentatively assume; for example, complicated metamodels require more simulation runs. We present several procedures to validate the metamodel estimated from a specific design, and we summarize a case study illustrating several of our major themes. We conclude with a discussion of areas that merit more work to achieve the potential benefits-either via new research or incorporation into standard simulation or statistical packages.

Toward a taxonomy of coherence relations

Abstract: Understanding a discourse means constructing a coherent representation of that discourse Inferring coherence relations, such as cause‐consequence and claim‐argument, is a necessary condition for a discourse representation to be coherent Despite some descriptively fairly adequate proposals in the literature, there is still no theoretically satisfying account of the links that make a discourse coherent An adequate account of the relations establishing coherence has to be psychologically plausible, because coherence relations are ultimately cognitive relations We are proposing a taxonomy that classifies coherence relations in terms of four cognitively salient primitives, such as the polarity of the relation and the pragmatic or semantic character of the link between the units A classification experiment using fragments of written discourse showed that the 12 classes of coherence relations distinguished in the taxonomy appear to be intuitively plausible and applicable A second experiment investigating t

The Relationship between Learning Conception, Study Strategy and Learning Outcome.

Abstract: Summary. The essential point of the present study is that human learning should be studied from a second-order perspective. This means that the emphasis is on how people see and understand the world around them. Attention is given to the ways in which students tackle the studying of a text, using the distinction introduced by Marton and Saljo between a deep-level and a surface-level approach. Also investigated is the extent to which these study strategies can be related to the views of students on learning itself (learning conceptions) and the quality of the learning outcome. It turned out that a learning outcome of relatively high quality must be especially associated with deep-level approach and a constructive learning conception.

Employee well-being and the HRM-organizational performance relationship: A review of quantitative studies

Abstract: There is a lack of consensus on the role of employee well-being in the human resource management–organizational performance relationship. This review examines which of the competing perspectives –‘mutual gains’ or ‘conflicting outcomes’– is more appropriate for describing this role of employee well-being. In addition, this review examines whether study attributes such as the measurement of key variables, the level of analysis and the study design affect a study's outcomes. The review covers 36 quantitative studies published from 1995 to May 2010. Employee well-being is described here using three dimensions: happiness, health and relationship. The main findings are that employee well-being in terms of happiness and relationship is congruent with organizational performance (mutual gains perspective), but that health-related well-being appears to function as a conflicting outcome. Directions for future research and theoretical development are suggested.