International Journal of Multivariate Data Analysis (4 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Application of Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Regression Model to U.S. Saltwater Recreational Fishing Trips with Excess Zeros  
  by Yeong Nain Chi 
  Abstract: This study employed the zero-inflated negative binomial regression model to analyze U.S. saltwater recreational fishing trips with excess zeros, using a cross-sectional data extracted from the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation. Count data, such as recreational fishing trips taken by anglers, is increasingly common in recreational fishing demand analysis. The zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was fitted because of the suspicion of excess zeros in this count data as well as over-dispersion. The parameter estimates for the zero-inflated negative binomial regression model is made up of two parts, the negative binomial regression model for the not certain zero group and the zero inflation portion for the certain zeros. Empirical results of this study provide insight into the determinants of saltwater recreational fishing trips, which can be used in analyzing the social and economic values of saltwater recreational fisheries management.
  Keywords: Saltwater; Recreational Fishing; Trips; Count Data; Over-Dispersion; Excess Zeros; Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Regression Model.
  
  
• Application of Survey Logistic Regression to Assess knowledge, attitude, and Testing Towards HIV/AIDS Infections Among Sudanese Reproductive Women  
  by Mohammed Omar Musa Mohammed, Ahmed Saied Rahama Abdallah 
  Abstract: This paper aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and testing of HIV infection, and their linked with socio-demographic factors among women of the reproductive age group in Sudan. The study depended on the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2014 of Sudan collected from the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF). A total of 13017 women were included in this analysis. The study applied Survey logistic regression to analyze the data. The study obtained the important results: there is a significant association among states, age groups, and education level with knowledge towards HIV AIDS. Respondents in the age group 45-49 years and participants who resided in urban areas had the highest adequate knowledge toward HIV/AIDS. Most of the poorest participants had a negative attitude towards HIV/AIDS. There is a significant association between states, education level, and wealth index with the attitude towards HIV AIDS. The study revealed a significant association between place of residence, states, age group, marital status, education level, and wealth index towards testing HIV AIDS. The study recommended that effective programs needed to increase the awareness of Sudanese people in all states.
  Keywords: Survey Logistic; MICS; Knowledge; Attitude; HIV/AIDS.
  
  
• Impact of Households Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics on Severe and Overall Poverty Statuses in Namibia: A Probit Modelling Approach  
  by Opeoluwa Oyedele 
  Abstract: Namibia continues to experience high prevalence of poverty, with large numbers of households still living in poverty conditions and unable to afford the minimum daily essentials for a decent life. In this paper, the impact of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of households on severe and overall poverty statuses was statistically analysed using data from the 2015/2016 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey. Results showed that the age of the household head, educational level, main source of income and marital status, as well as household location, region, size and indebtedness had a significant impact on both overall and severe poverty incidence. It is therefore recommended that the Namibian government and policy makers put more efforts in improving the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of households, especially households located in the Omaheke, Zambezi, Kavango East and Kunene regions and households whose main source of income are pension, remittances/grants and drought/in-kind receipts.
  Keywords: poverty; probit regression model; poverty lines; severe poverty; household poverty; Namibia.
  
  
• Application of Bayesian Methods in the Analysis of Dynamic Conditional Correlation Multivariate GARCH Models  
  by Dechassa Gudeta 
  Abstract: The main objective of this paper was to use a new class of Bayesian inference in flexible multivariate skewed distributions in multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity context using posterior simulation by Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques. Different multivariate skewed distributions: skew normal, skewed t- and generalized error distributions each allowing for asymmetry as well as heavy tailed properties of the error distribution were considered. Prior-parameters are randomly sampled from Beta, truncated normal and uniform distributions and sensitivity test is conducted. From the empirical results, both log-likelihood and deviance information criteria selected the multivariate skewed generalized error distribution model as the better fits to the simulated data. Thus, the inclusion of skewness and the shape parameter substantially improves model fit to skewed and heavy tailed error distribution. The sensitivity test discovered that the approximation is quite good and posterior results are reliable when prior-parameters are randomly sampled from Beta distribution.
  Keywords: Bayesian Inference; Dynamic Conditional Correlation; Macroeconomic Data; Generalized Error Distribution; Markov Chain Monte Carlo Techniques; Multivariate GARCH Model; Multivariate Skewed Distributions.