A generalized method of estimation of a population parameter in two-phase and successive sampling

The paper considers a problem of estimating a finite population parameter T (α, β, γ) in two-phase and successive sampling. Asymptotic optimum estimator (AOE) in a class is identified with its approximate variance formula. Several estimators of different parameters are identified as particular members of the class. In particular, we have focused on estimating the population coefficient of variation. The expressions for bias and variance are derived and compared theoretically.     

Suckers in the morning,skeptics in the evening: Time-of-Day effects on consumers’ vigilance against manipulation

Persuasion knowledge is defined as a consumer’s vigilance against manipulative persuasion. In this paper, we explore the relationship between persuasion knowledge and consumer’s diurnal preference. It is proposed that evening-type consumers display enhanced persuasion knowledge relative to morning types. Also, heightened persuasion knowledge is exhibited during their respective optimal times of day for both morning-type and evening-type consumers. We propose cognitive resource availability as the key underlying mechanism for this relationship. Finally, we also demonstrate an analogous relationship between consumer skepticism and diurnal preferences. Over three studies we find supportive evidence for our claims.     

Collaborative learning in technology education: D&T unit on puppetry in different Indian socio-cultural contexts

The paper reports on the trials of a Design and Technology (D&T) unit carried out in three different Indian contexts with a focus on collaborative learning. Both collaboration and technology education are not common to the Indian school system. As part of a larger project to introduce technology education, suitable for middle school girls and boys in urban and rural areas, three culturally appropriate and gender sensitive D&T units were developed. All the units were tried out with middle school students in different socio-cultural settings: two schools in urban areas (with different languages of teaching and learning) and one in a rural area. This paper presents details of a unit on puppetry which involved making a puppet and staging a puppet-show. Aspects of collaboration within and among groups were observed with respect to: roles played by the members, conflicts and their resolution, sharing of resources, communication and peer review among the students. The trials in the three clusters indicate the potential of this D&T unit to provide collaborative learning situations for the multicultural contexts of Indian classrooms.

Is an Optimum Currency Area Feasible in East and South East Asia?

Abstract

In the backdrop of the recent economic crisis in the European Union, this study attempts to assess the degree of regional integration and the suitability of a monetary union in the East and South-East Asian (ESEA) region. For this purpose, we analyse the issue in a variety of ways. First, a long-run linkage of real output of the countries is tested using the cointegration analysis. Results suggest that real output of most of the countries in the region is cointegrated and move together in the long-run. To analyse the issue in detail, we focus on the impact of three different shocks, namely global, regional and country-specific, on real output of the countries. Results of impulse response and variance decomposition analysis reveal that regional shocks do not dominate in the sample countries, which is an indication of unfavourable condition to form an optimal currency area (OCA) in the region. These results are further confirmed by the outcome of computation of the modified Bayoumi and Eichengreen's Indices. Finally, we employ the concept of Generalized Purchasing Power Parity (G-PPP), which however reveals that the bilateral real exchange rate of ESEA countries move together in the long-run and share a common stochastic trend, which in turn provides some empirical support for an OCA in the region.     

Design and technology productions among middle school students: an Indian experience

The focus of this paper is students’ design productions as they engaged in designing and making a windmill model to lift a given weight. This work is part of a project on the development of design and technology (D&;T) education units and its trials among Indian middle school students (Grade 6, age 11–14 years) in different socio-cultural settings. Since D&;T is not a part of the Indian school curriculum, the students had no earlier experience of design. Our trials included an exploratory phase followed by groups of students producing technical drawings and a plan for the making action (procedural map) before engaging in making the windmill model. The paper presents findings from a qualitative analysis of urban and rural students’ pencil and paper productions, complemented by observations from video recordings of the collaborative engagement of these naïve designers. Students used graphical symbols, analogical, spatial and functional reasoning in their design activities. Choice of materials and tools, the nature of exploratory sketches, variety in design and attentions to issues of stability showed differences between the urban and rural groups. Some potential implications of D&;T units for classroom learning have also been discussed.     

Estimation of population variance in successive sampling

This paper proposes a class of estimators of finite population variance in successive sampling on two occasions and analyzes its properties. Isaki (J Am Stat Assoc 78:117?C123, 1983) motivated to consider the problem of estimation of finite population variance in survey sampling, and its extension to the case of successive sampling is much interesting, and the theory developed here will be helpful to those involved in such analysis in future. To our knowledge this is the first attempt made by the authors in this direction. An empirical study based on real populations and moderate sample sizes demonstrates the usefulness of the proposed methodology. In addition, this paper also presents a through review on successive sampling.     

Does export and productivity growth linkage exist? Evidence from the Indian manufacturing industry

This paper examines the interrelation between exporting and productivity performance by using a representative sample of Indian manufacturing firms over the period 1994–2006. Specifically, we attempt to test the empirical validity of the learning‐by‐exporting and the self‐selection hypotheses for our sample firms. In order to investigate the linkage, in the first step, we test for causality between TFP and export intensity of firms. Although overall results are rather mixed and provide some support for both hypotheses, still the empirical results are more favorable for the self‐selection behavior of firms. In the next stage, we attempt to provide evidence on export and productivity linkage that occurs during various phases of transition in the export market. Our results suggest that entering in the export market does not improve productivity performance. However, the decision to exit from the export market does have an adverse effect on the productivity. In addition, our results indicate the presence of a high sunk cost of exporting coupled with perhaps lesser information about foreign markets. Finally, our results also lend some support to the significant role of in‐house research activities and economies of scale in firms' productivity performance.