In much of applied statistics variables of interest are measured with error. In particular, regression with covariates that are subject to measurement error requires adjustment to avoid biased estimates and invalid inference. We consider two aspects of this problem. Detection Limits (DL) arise...

In the first part of the dissertation, we derive two methods for responders analysis in longitudinal data with random missing data. Often a binary variable is generated by dichotomizing an underlying continuous variable measured at a specific point in time according to a prespecified threshold...

This thesis addresses three major issues in data mining regarding feature subset selection in large dimensionality domains, plausible reconstruction of incomplete data in cross-sectional applications, and forecasting univariate time series. For the automated selection of an optimal subset of...

This thesis is comprised of three chapters. The first chapter develops a statistical model that enriches the role that firms playin wage determination, allowing firms to influence both average wages as well as the returns to observable worker characteristics. I exploit the hierarchical nature of...

This dissertation focuses on two topics in semiparametric statistical methods and their applications in medical science: (1) prediction of patients? lifetimes based on their risk profiles; (2) estimation of dynamic exposure effects on survival outcomes. In Chapter II, we develop multiple...

In many clinical studies, researchers are mainly interested in studying the effects of some prognostic factors on the hazard of failure from a specific cause while individuals may failure from multiple causes. This leads to a competing risks problem. Often, due to various reasons such as finite...

Broadening the term augmented testing to include a combination of multiple measures to assess examinee performance on a single construct, the issues of IRT item parameter and proficiency estimates were investigated. The intent of this dissertation is to determine if different IRT calibration...

As item response theory (IRT) has developed and is widely applied, investigating the fit of a parametric model becomes an important part of the measurement process when implementing IRT. The usefulness and successes of IRT applications rely heavily on the extent to which the model reflects the...

Three decision consistency and accuracy (DC/DA) methods, the Livingston and Lewis (LL) method, LEE method, and the Hambleton and Han (HH) method, were evaluated. The purposes of the study were (1) to evaluate the accuracy and robustness of these methods, especially when their assumptions were...

A Monte Carlo simulation study investigated the effect of scoring format, item parameterization, threshold configuration, and prior ability distribution on the accuracy of ability estimation given various IRT models. Item response data on 30 items from 1,000 examinees was simulated using known...