Loreen M. Powell

A Comparison of the Effects of K-Anonymity on Machine Learning Algorithms

While research has been conducted in machine learning algorithms and in privacy preserving in data mining (PPDM), a gap in the literature exists which combines the aforementioned areas to determine how PPDM affects common machine learning algorithms. The aim of this research is to narrow this literature gap by investigating how a common PPDM algorithm, K-Anonymity, affects common machine learning and data mining algorithms, namely neural networks, logistic regression, decision trees, and Bayesian classifiers. This applied research reveals practical implications for applying PPDM to data mining and machine learning and serves as a critical first step learning how to apply PPDM to machine learning algorithms and the effects of PPDM on machine learning. Results indicate that certain machine learning algorithms are more suited for use with PPDM techniques.

Emotional intelligence and communication levels in information technology professionals

In todays digital and technical environment, employers are looking for personnel that can contribute to the organization not only with the use of technical skills but can also express their expertise with the use of positive emotional intelligence and communication effectiveness. As research is lacking in the investigation of soft skills used by information technology professionals, the relationship between emotional intelligence and communication adaptability is the focus of this research. This quantitative non-experimental correlational analyses the emotional intelligence and communication adaptability level of 111 Information Technology professionals that work in the United States. The research found a significant positive relationship between emotional intelligence and the communication adaptability of the information technology professional. The positive outcome of this study suggests that information technology professions that have a strong relationship between emotional intelligence and communication aptitude can have positive implications for organizations for organizational teamwork/relationship building. Studies relationship between emotional intelligence and communication adaptability.Quantitative non-experimental correlational analyses is performed.Surveyed 111 Information Technology professionals in the United States.A significant positive relationship between EI and CA.

Towards a Better Understanding of the Different Computing Disciplines

The field of computing has undergone significant differentiation over the past twenty years, resulting in several distinct computing sub-disciplines. After extensive consultation with experts and industry stakeholders, the ACM [1] defined five distinct sub-disciplines within the computing field: computer science (CS), information systems (IS), computer engineering (CE), software engineering (SE), and Information technology (IT). While these areas are unique, they are not completely discrete, and there seems to be ambiguity around which tasks fit into which sub-discipline. The ACM has made significant efforts to define these in terms of expected program content and by the outcomes and skills required to prepare students for the dynamic labor market. Nonetheless, research [4,5,6,9] shows that there is a need for an even clearer understanding of these sub-disciplines by the academic community, by guidance and career counsellors, and by, of course, prospective students. This panel will address some of the issues and problems involved with communicating how the computing disciplines overlap and diverge. The panelists straddle several computing disciplines as well as provide insight into the advising issues faced by non-computing guidance and career counsellors. We hope that through a lively dialog between the audience and the panelists, all participants will come away with improved understanding and techniques for communicating the differences between the different computing disciplines

The Strategic Responses from Sophisticated Investors to Inaccurate Forecast of Financial Analysts

We examine whether there are more information based trading activities that are generated around the time of earnings announcements. We distinguish between the influence of information based traders, especially short sellers, and market information quality through the reaction of participants to new information derived from corporate earnings announcements. We find that informed traders do take advantage of overpriced stocks, and do short stocks before the confirmation of past expectations of future cash flows from corporates. We apply Standardized Unexpected Earnings (SUE) in the method and our result indicates that informed traders are more likely to take advantage of overpriced stocks, using a tool (shorting) that is not traditionally used by unsophisticated investors. We also demonstrate an unique finding that informed traders follow stock analysts not for investing advice, but to take advantage of those unsophisticated investors that buy in to the rhetoric expressed by financial analysts.

Improving Course Assessment via Web-based Homework

Higher education increasingly relies on course assessment; however, it is challenging to cover all course and assessed content. Homework has been linked to increased student performance and may be a solution to covering or reinforcing key course and assessed concepts. Instructor time and resources are limited, making additional grading challenging. Moreover, using feedback on homework to improve student performance is time sensitive with many faculty, challenged to timely return homework feedback. Web-based tools may assist with the aforementioned issues; however, research on the effects of homework, paper-based versus web-based homework, and online learning tools is inconsistent. The goal of this research is to improve assessment via web-based homework while requiring minimal instructor effort and time. The hypothesis is stated as employing web-based homework will improve scores on student performance as measured by a university course assessment. The web-based homework occurs via the implementation of discussion boards in multiple undergraduate courses in the college of business of a mid-size regional university. Results indicate discussion boards can be used to effectively improve student performance as measured by assessment.

Impact of Online Discussions on Web Based Assessments

Thepracticeofincludingonlinediscussionpoststotraditionalcoursesisincreasing.Onlinediscussions allowforactivelearningtooccurasstudentsexpresstheirideasandrespondtoothers.Thetimeand thoughtprovidedbyonlinediscussionpostsallowsstudentstoutilizehigherlevelcognitiveskills. Web-basedassessmentsareanothertechnologytoolthatinstructorsareincludingintheircourses. Thisstudyexaminedtheimpactofonlinediscussionpostsonachievementofweb-basedassessments foranupperlevelundergraduatebusinessandtechnologywritingintensivecourse.Usingatreatment groupandacontrolgroup,studentachievementscoresfortheonlineassessmentsweremeasured. Resultsindicatethatassessedgradesofthetreatmentgroupswerehigherthanthecontrolgroup, howeverstatisticalsignificancewasmixedamongthewebassessments.Theresultsfurtherillustrate theneedforadditionalresearchintoonlinediscussionsappliedtoweb-basedassessments. KEyWORDS Active Learning, Online Discussions, Student Achievement, Web Based Assessments, Writing Intensive Courses