Multivariate analysis with a view to policy design: Explanatory factors

Author(s):  
David Kaufmann ◽  
Johanna Kuenzler ◽  
Fritz Sager

Abstract Research is increasingly carried out in large-scale, interdisciplinary research programs that aim to tackle complex, multidimensional, and future-oriented challenges. We explore the case of the Swiss Initiative in Systems Biology (SystemsX.ch), the largest ever Swiss research program, and more specifically the partial failure of the program’s IT-project SyBIT. Apart from providing IT and data science support, SyBIT aimed to establish a common data repository. The establishment of this common data repository failed. Based on an interdisciplinary analytical framework, we propose that five explanatory factors account for this failure: a lack of demand from researchers, technological complexity of heterogeneous data formats, absence of governance decisions in favor of the data repository, interpersonal problems, and political difficulties. We conclude that for large-scale research infrastructure, the policy design is crucial for success, given that it can result in positive or negative after effects, such as user resistance versus acceptance and technological complexity versus coherence.


2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
KARSTEN VRANGBÆK ◽  
KATARINA ØSTERGREN

This article provides a critical analysis of the introduction of hospital choice in Denmark and Norway. The two Nordic cases provide evidence from public integrated health systems that may be compared to the current implementation of choice in other countries such as England. We use the theoretical concepts of institutional structure, historical legacies, and situational factors to analyze the translation of the general choice idea into a specific health policy design in Denmark and Norway. The results of the study show that even if there are many similarities between the two countries, there are also significant differences. In Denmark the initial implementation of choice was adjusted to the dominant policy objectives of macroeconomic control through regional planning, while in Norway the chosen solution reflects a more limited concern for expenditure control and a greater willingness to experiment. Timing and differences in the relative strength of the decentralized actors are important explanatory factors. Theoretically, this article provides some insights into the problem of introducing policies that contradict existing traditions, norms, and values. It addresses issues of policy design and the relationship between ideas, historically developed institutions, and situational factors, including actor constellations and interests.


1966 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 188-189
Author(s):  
T. J. Deeming

If we make a set of measurements, such as narrow-band or multicolour photo-electric measurements, which are designed to improve a scheme of classification, and in particular if they are designed to extend the number of dimensions of classification, i.e. the number of classification parameters, then some important problems of analytical procedure arise. First, it is important not to reproduce the errors of the classification scheme which we are trying to improve. Second, when trying to extend the number of dimensions of classification we have little or nothing with which to test the validity of the new parameters.Problems similar to these have occurred in other areas of scientific research (notably psychology and education) and the branch of Statistics called Multivariate Analysis has been developed to deal with them. The techniques of this subject are largely unknown to astronomers, but, if carefully applied, they should at the very least ensure that the astronomer gets the maximum amount of information out of his data and does not waste his time looking for information which is not there. More optimistically, these techniques are potentially capable of indicating the number of classification parameters necessary and giving specific formulas for computing them, as well as pinpointing those particular measurements which are most crucial for determining the classification parameters.


2005 ◽  
Vol 173 (4S) ◽  
pp. 303-303
Author(s):  
Diana Wiessner ◽  
Rainer J. Litz ◽  
Axel R. Heller ◽  
Mitko Georgiev ◽  
Oliver W. Hakenberg ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Huib Pellikaan ◽  
Robert J. van der Veen
Keyword(s):  

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