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Showing papers in "Journal of The Royal Statistical Society Series C-applied Statistics in 1969"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Convergence of Probability Measures as mentioned in this paper is a well-known convergence of probability measures. But it does not consider the relationship between probability measures and the probability distribution of probabilities.
Abstract: Convergence of Probability Measures. By P. Billingsley. Chichester, Sussex, Wiley, 1968. xii, 253 p. 9 1/4“. 117s.

5,689 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Minimum spanning trees (MST) and single linkage cluster analysis (SLCA) are explained and it is shown that all the information required for the SLCA of a set of points is contained in their MST.
Abstract: Minimum spanning trees (MST) and single linkage cluster analysis (SLCA) are explained and it is shown that all the information required for the SLCA of a set of points is contained in their MST. Known algorithms for finding the MST are discussed. They are efficient even when there are very many points; this makes a SLCA practicable when other methods of cluster analysis are not. The relevant computing procedures are published in the Algorithm section of the same issue of Applied Statistics. The use of the MST in the interpretation of vector diagrams arising in multivariate analysis is illustrated by an example.

1,210 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a graphical procedure based on the half-normal plotting technique is described for locating cells exhibiting interaction, when the number of such cells is relatively small compared with the total number of cells in the table.
Abstract: Interactions in two‐way contingency tables are described by means of a linear model in the logarithmic scale for the cell probabilities. A graphical procedure, based on the half‐normal plotting technique, is described for locating cells exhibiting interaction, when the number of such cells is relatively small compared with the total number of cells in the table. A quasi‐independent model is introduced which allows the cells not separated by the graphical procedure to have a multiplicative structure, similar to that for independence of row and column classifications. These ideas are then applied to the analysis of an occupational mobility table.

46 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a separate families test is applied to diameter measurements of wool tops to see which of the gamma or log-normal distribution fits better, and it is compared to a graphical method and X2 test for achieving the same objective.
Abstract: A separate families test is briefly described and applied to diameter measurements of wool tops to see which of the gamma or log‐normal distribution fits better. The method is compared to a graphical method and X2 test for achieving the same objective and it is shown that the separate families test has greater power of discrimination than any of the others.

41 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the problem of computing the bi-variate normal integral with particular reference to the need for a procedure suitable for general computer application is addressed, and three methods which involve the reduction of the general twofold integral to a form which is effectively a single integral are considered.
Abstract: SUMMARY This paper is concerned with the problem of calculating the bi-variate normal integral, with particular reference to the need for a procedure suitable for general computer application. Three methods which involve the reduction of the general twofold integral to a form which is effectively a single integral are considered. The methods are compared on the basis of the computing time required for a given accuracy of approximation and it is shown that the most suitable alternative in a given case can be determined mainly upon the basis of the correlation coefficient. A computing procedure involving the use of the most appropriate method of reduction in a particular case is put forward.

29 citations




Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Some of the different ways in which a computer may be used as a teaching aid in statistics courses are discussed, with particular reference to the use of time-sharing computer systems.
Abstract: SUMMARY The authors discuss some of the different ways in which a computer may be used as a teaching aid in statistics courses, with particular reference to the use of time-sharing computer systems. THE electronic computer has had a considerable influence on statistical practice, for example complex multivariate analyses are now commonplace, but as yet has had little influence on teaching practice. In the U.K. this has been due in part to the shortage of adequate computing facilities, but also to the slowness of teachers to recognize the pedagogic value of the computer and to the inertia generated by rigid syllabuses and examination-oriented teaching. In the U.S.A. the position appears to be similar but there are notable exceptions, as witness the papers of Meyer (1965) and Sterling and Pollack (1966). These teachers have integrated the computer into their teaching programmes with great success. In this paper we examine some of the consequences of using a computer as a teaching aid in statistics courses. Our own work is as yet far from complete and the main object is to clarify our own ideas and to broadcast the ideas of others. We recognize that we have been as slow as others in actually implementing some of the ideas discussed, but we hope that our ideas and experience may nevertheless aid and stimulate others who are concerned with improving the productivity of their teaching. We find it useful to distinguish between several types of user of statistical method: (i) computing specialists with some knowledge of statistics; (ii) statistics specialists with some knowledge of computing; (iii) applied statisticians with detailed knowledge of the methods relevant to their field of application, for example economics or biology, but little knowledge of computing; (iv) non-statisticians such as sociologists or economists, who sometimes need to apply statistical methods and often need to use computers to handle large quantities of data. The requirements of these groups vary and the content of courses and method of teaching must vary accordingly. The computing specialist will need to know several programming languages and will probably learn his statistics as an application of these. This often means that he is weak in his understanding of concepts and this is

11 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Using data on obstetric histories taken from women who have completed their families it is concluded that, on average, an individual woman's chance of a perinatal death at her first confinement is not exceeded by the chances at subsequent confinements until at least the tenth.
Abstract: Barker and Record (1967) have devised a method of testing for birth‐order effects which they claim is unaffected by differential fertility contingent on the appearance of an affected sib. It is suggested here that this claim is not justified, and a modification of their test is accordingly proposed. Applying this modification to data on obstetric histories taken from women who have completed their families it is concluded that, on average, an individual woman's chance of a perinatal death at her first confinement is not exceeded by the chances at subsequent confinements until at least the tenth. So it seems that the high perinatal mortality rates which are associated with grand multiparity are not due to multiparity by itself, but to factors associated with it such as poor nutrition and medical care.





Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Experiments are outlined in which portable tape‐recording devices have been used successfully by the Forestry Commission to record computer data for later copy punching, instead of the usual tally sheets and field forms.
Abstract: Experiments are outlined in which portable tape‐recording devices have been used successfully by the Forestry Commission to record computer data for later copy punching, instead of the usual tally sheets and field forms. Some promising new equipment is noted.