I am an italian statisticianMy main interests are latent variables models, causal inference, mixture of regression models, efficiency analysis, human capital, econometric health Phone: 3346648469
Background: Media communication during the covid-19 pandemic has been relevant for the population... more Background: Media communication during the covid-19 pandemic has been relevant for the population to receive information about the ongoing number of cases, deaths, and social restriction measures. Notably, the effects of the communication methods on young adults during the covid-19 pandemic have not been studied. Therefore the present study aimed to investigate the influence of communication modality about covid-19 on the perception of risk and judgment among young adults. Methods: A double-blind cross-sectional study was designed. Three hundred four subjects (age range19-25 years old) saw a 4-minute video concerning data communication on the covid-19 pandemic and compiled an online questionnaire about their perceptions. Two videos were randomized, one presenting the covid-19 data negatively (HARD video) while the other showed a positive ongoing resolution of the pandemic (SOFT video). Association tests and nominal logistic regression were used to evaluate differences in responses among the two groups. Results: The two videos lead to different reactions. Participants showed higher disagreement concerning the video content in the "SOFT" group compared to the "HARD" group. The responses of the "SOFT" group were more to be optimistic (OR=2.87, 95% CI 1.311-6.27) than those who had seen the "HARD" video. The sense of helplessness was lower in the "SOFT" compared "HARD" group (OR=3.02, 95% CI 1.311-6.96). The perception of fear was higher for the "HARD" group (OR=2.91, 95% CI 1.21-7-02). Discussion: The modality of data presentation influenced the perception and feelings about the covid-19 pandemic. Likely, pre-existing perception of a pessimistic perspective was present in both groups; thus, the video did not lead to any change in the behavior. Conclusions: The phobic or counter-phobic reactions shown in the study participants highlighted the importance of the reliability of the information received and how previous feelings may influence the perception of the information.
In order to evaluate the effect of a policy or treatment with pre- and post-treatment outcomes, w... more In order to evaluate the effect of a policy or treatment with pre- and post-treatment outcomes, we propose an approach based on a transition model, which may be applied with multivariate outcomes and accounts for unobserved heterogeneity. This model is based on potential versions of discrete latent variables representing the individual characteristic of interest and may be cast in the hidden (latent) Markov literature for panel data. Therefore, it can be estimated by maximum likelihood in a relatively simple way. The approach extends the difference-in-difference method as it is possible to deal with multivariate outcomes. Moreover, causal effects may be expressed with respect to transition probabilities. The proposal is validated through a simulation study, and it is applied to evaluate educational programs administered to pupils in the sixth and seventh grades during their middle school period. These programs are carried out in an Italian region to improve non-cognitive skills (CSs...
We present the results of the study entitled “The development of non-cognitive skills in Trentino... more We present the results of the study entitled “The development of non-cognitive skills in Trentino pupils”, carried out on middle school pupils in the Autonomous Province of Trento. The aim was to verify whether non-cognitive skills lead to an improvement in cognitive skills, as measured by school performance, and whether appropriate educational programmes increase non-cognitive skills, through two analyses, the first related to the 2017-2018 school year, and the second to the following year. The results confirm that the presence of more robust non-cognitive skills promotes growth in cognitive skills as well. Furthermore, various aspects of non-cognitive skills can be improved through specific educational programmes conducted in school settings. Keywords: Cognitive skills; Non-cognitive skills; Human capital; Linear model; Difference-indifferences causal model.
Abstract We propose a new approach with which to measure school efficiency by including student N... more Abstract We propose a new approach with which to measure school efficiency by including student Non-Cognitive Skills in the analysis. In classical analysis, efficiency is measured separately from effectiveness. In our framework, we jointly consider efficiency and effectiveness, including both Cognitive Skills and Non-Cognitive Skills. We call our approach “Non-Cognitive Skills Efficiency” and we propose two analyses. The first is called “Static Non-Cognitive Skills Efficiency” and measures the efficiency of transforming Non-Cognitive Skills into Cognitive Skills, by means of a Stochastic Frontier Approach. We verify that some Non-Cognitive Skills have effect on Cognitive Skills and contribute to increase school efficiency. The second is defined “Dynamic Non-Cognitive Skills Efficiency” and measures the efficiency of school educational programmes aimed at improving Non-Cognitive Skills. The statistical method is a Difference-in-Differences model based on a Stochastic Frontier Approach. We find that these educational programmes (treatment) have a positive effect on Non-Cognitive Skills. The survey concerns 8th grade students attending 25 schools in the Provincia Autonoma di Trento, in Italy. The dataset comprises both survey data and the administrative data of local authorities, thus providing a complete set of information at student level on CS and NCS skills, social capital variables, in particular the socioeconomic background of families, and teaching parameters. We measure school efficiency at class level, because this level is less affected by unobserved environmental factors. The results provide new perspectives on education in schools.
The goal of transforming the EU into the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in ... more The goal of transforming the EU into the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world within the year 2010 relies on the development of educational and training systems from both a worldwide perspective as well as from the perspective of lifelong learning. In October 2001, the European Commission recommended the development of composite indicators
The goal of this contribution is to shed light on the benefits for research in health care coming... more The goal of this contribution is to shed light on the benefits for research in health care coming from the use of administrative data, especially in terms of measuring hospitals’ outcomes. The main approaches to health outcome evaluation are reviewed and the possible improvements deriving from the use of administrative data are highlighted. Administrative data may be an essential element in the process of gathering to the public true rankings of health care organizations, reducing the degree of asymmetric information that typically arises in health care. Patients will be more aware of the best institutions, which will induce most of them to demand to be admitted in them, taking into account the costs associated with distance and with the severity of the illness. This in turn may ask for a reorganization of the sector, closing some organizations and expanding others, having as final goal to improve the health status of the population, without income barriers. This is one of the first...
Background: Media communication during the covid-19 pandemic has been relevant for the population... more Background: Media communication during the covid-19 pandemic has been relevant for the population to receive information about the ongoing number of cases, deaths, and social restriction measures. Notably, the effects of the communication methods on young adults during the covid-19 pandemic have not been studied. Therefore the present study aimed to investigate the influence of communication modality about covid-19 on the perception of risk and judgment among young adults. Methods: A double-blind cross-sectional study was designed. Three hundred four subjects (age range19-25 years old) saw a 4-minute video concerning data communication on the covid-19 pandemic and compiled an online questionnaire about their perceptions. Two videos were randomized, one presenting the covid-19 data negatively (HARD video) while the other showed a positive ongoing resolution of the pandemic (SOFT video). Association tests and nominal logistic regression were used to evaluate differences in responses among the two groups. Results: The two videos lead to different reactions. Participants showed higher disagreement concerning the video content in the "SOFT" group compared to the "HARD" group. The responses of the "SOFT" group were more to be optimistic (OR=2.87, 95% CI 1.311-6.27) than those who had seen the "HARD" video. The sense of helplessness was lower in the "SOFT" compared "HARD" group (OR=3.02, 95% CI 1.311-6.96). The perception of fear was higher for the "HARD" group (OR=2.91, 95% CI 1.21-7-02). Discussion: The modality of data presentation influenced the perception and feelings about the covid-19 pandemic. Likely, pre-existing perception of a pessimistic perspective was present in both groups; thus, the video did not lead to any change in the behavior. Conclusions: The phobic or counter-phobic reactions shown in the study participants highlighted the importance of the reliability of the information received and how previous feelings may influence the perception of the information.
In order to evaluate the effect of a policy or treatment with pre- and post-treatment outcomes, w... more In order to evaluate the effect of a policy or treatment with pre- and post-treatment outcomes, we propose an approach based on a transition model, which may be applied with multivariate outcomes and accounts for unobserved heterogeneity. This model is based on potential versions of discrete latent variables representing the individual characteristic of interest and may be cast in the hidden (latent) Markov literature for panel data. Therefore, it can be estimated by maximum likelihood in a relatively simple way. The approach extends the difference-in-difference method as it is possible to deal with multivariate outcomes. Moreover, causal effects may be expressed with respect to transition probabilities. The proposal is validated through a simulation study, and it is applied to evaluate educational programs administered to pupils in the sixth and seventh grades during their middle school period. These programs are carried out in an Italian region to improve non-cognitive skills (CSs...
We present the results of the study entitled “The development of non-cognitive skills in Trentino... more We present the results of the study entitled “The development of non-cognitive skills in Trentino pupils”, carried out on middle school pupils in the Autonomous Province of Trento. The aim was to verify whether non-cognitive skills lead to an improvement in cognitive skills, as measured by school performance, and whether appropriate educational programmes increase non-cognitive skills, through two analyses, the first related to the 2017-2018 school year, and the second to the following year. The results confirm that the presence of more robust non-cognitive skills promotes growth in cognitive skills as well. Furthermore, various aspects of non-cognitive skills can be improved through specific educational programmes conducted in school settings. Keywords: Cognitive skills; Non-cognitive skills; Human capital; Linear model; Difference-indifferences causal model.
Abstract We propose a new approach with which to measure school efficiency by including student N... more Abstract We propose a new approach with which to measure school efficiency by including student Non-Cognitive Skills in the analysis. In classical analysis, efficiency is measured separately from effectiveness. In our framework, we jointly consider efficiency and effectiveness, including both Cognitive Skills and Non-Cognitive Skills. We call our approach “Non-Cognitive Skills Efficiency” and we propose two analyses. The first is called “Static Non-Cognitive Skills Efficiency” and measures the efficiency of transforming Non-Cognitive Skills into Cognitive Skills, by means of a Stochastic Frontier Approach. We verify that some Non-Cognitive Skills have effect on Cognitive Skills and contribute to increase school efficiency. The second is defined “Dynamic Non-Cognitive Skills Efficiency” and measures the efficiency of school educational programmes aimed at improving Non-Cognitive Skills. The statistical method is a Difference-in-Differences model based on a Stochastic Frontier Approach. We find that these educational programmes (treatment) have a positive effect on Non-Cognitive Skills. The survey concerns 8th grade students attending 25 schools in the Provincia Autonoma di Trento, in Italy. The dataset comprises both survey data and the administrative data of local authorities, thus providing a complete set of information at student level on CS and NCS skills, social capital variables, in particular the socioeconomic background of families, and teaching parameters. We measure school efficiency at class level, because this level is less affected by unobserved environmental factors. The results provide new perspectives on education in schools.
The goal of transforming the EU into the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in ... more The goal of transforming the EU into the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world within the year 2010 relies on the development of educational and training systems from both a worldwide perspective as well as from the perspective of lifelong learning. In October 2001, the European Commission recommended the development of composite indicators
The goal of this contribution is to shed light on the benefits for research in health care coming... more The goal of this contribution is to shed light on the benefits for research in health care coming from the use of administrative data, especially in terms of measuring hospitals’ outcomes. The main approaches to health outcome evaluation are reviewed and the possible improvements deriving from the use of administrative data are highlighted. Administrative data may be an essential element in the process of gathering to the public true rankings of health care organizations, reducing the degree of asymmetric information that typically arises in health care. Patients will be more aware of the best institutions, which will induce most of them to demand to be admitted in them, taking into account the costs associated with distance and with the severity of the illness. This in turn may ask for a reorganization of the sector, closing some organizations and expanding others, having as final goal to improve the health status of the population, without income barriers. This is one of the first...
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Papers by Giorgio Vittadini