Melissa Altman
Biographic Data
| ID | 90800 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Melissa Altman |
| GIVEN NAMES | Melissa |
| FAMILY NAME | Altman |
| SIGNATURE | ALTMAN M |
| AFFILIATIONS | Harvard University Press |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-7382-6960 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 42 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1998 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2023 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Interventions in scholarly communication: Design lessons from public health
Many argue that swift and fundamental interventions in the system of scholarly communication are needed. However, there are substantial disagreements over the short- and long-term benefits of most proposed approaches to changing the practice of science communication, and the lack of systematic, empirically based research in this area makes these controversies difficult to resolve. We argue that experience within public health can be usefully appl…
The Public Mapping Project: How Public Participation Can Revolutionize Redistricting
The Laurence and Lynne Brown Democracy Medal is an initiative of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Pennsylvania State University. It annually recognizes outstanding individuals, groups, and organizations that produce exceptional innovations to further democracy in the United States or around the world. This book unveils the Public Mapping Project, which developed DistrictBuilder, an open-source software redistricting application designed …
Redistricting by Formula: An Ohio Reform Experiment
In the last decade, Ohio reformers advocated redistricting by formula: selecting the redistricting plan that scores best on a predefined objective scoring function that combines prima facie neutral criteria with political goals of plan fairness and district competition. In the post-2010 redistricting, these reformers hosted a public competition where prizes were awarded to the best legal plan scored on the reformers’ formula. The submitted plans …
Components of partisan bias originating from single-member districts in multi-party systems: An application to Mexico
Funding, Funding
I show herein how to develop fundable proposals to support your research. Although the proposal strategy I discuss is commonly used in successful proposals, most junior faculty (and many senior scholars) in political science and other social sciences seem to be unaware of it. I dispel myths about funding, and discuss how to find funders and target funding programs. I then outline how to write a proposal; and detail how to respond to reviews
Open Research Questions on Information and Technology in Global and Domestic Politics—Beyond “E-”
Accelerating technological change is one of the defining characteristics of this era. And the intersection of information, technology, and politics is a constantly changing arena. Technological change can provide the subject for political debate, such as in the controversy over electronic voting (see Tokaji 2005); affect the means by which politics is conducted, such as in the use of information technologies to provide government services and col…
Racing and Queering the Interface: Producing Global/Local Cyberselves
This essay is concerned with social and cultural problems of producing, consuming, and using technology. Based on epistemologies of doing, we race and queer the interface while doing technologies as they are located in specific contexts and moments. Our multi-vocal cyberethnographic engagement explores the production of selves at the intersection of online/offline activities. Our narratives shed light on how power works in multiply mediated conte…
How to Set a Random Clock: Remarks on Earnest (2006)
We read with interest David C. Earnest's recent (July 2006) PS article about the pedagogical challenges surrounding the statistical computation of pseudo-random numbers (PRNGs). We write to clarify some issues regarding the testing and setting of PRNG seeds, and to direct readers' attention to a set of resources for configuring computationally accurate simulations and statistical analyses
Measuring the Difference Between White Voting and Polling on Interracial Marriage
Major questions remain about the extent and political significance of White racial attitudes. In this paper, we examine an alternative source of data on racial attitudes-actual voting on the purely symbolic repeal of antimiscegenation referenda. By applying cross-level (ecological) inference methods to this unique data, we find, surprisingly, that White voting behavior differs dramatically from what would be predicted based on previous survey res…
From Crayons to Computers: The Evolution of Computer Use in Redistricting
Following the most recent round of redistricting, observers across the political spectrum warned that computing technology had fundamentally changed redistricting, for the worse. They are concerned that computers enable the creation of finely crafted redistricting plans that promote partisan and career goals, to the detriment of electoral competition, and that, ultimately, thwart voters’ ability to express their will through the ballot box. In th…
Current Research in Voting, Elections, and Technology
The articles in this special issue raise and refine questions about our understanding of the use of, state of the art in, and challenges associated with voting and election technology, broadly conceived. Although researchers have yet to achieve consensus on the broad impact of information technology on our understanding of the practice of politics, the broad outlines of a research agenda are emerging. In this overview, we discuss the current work…
Numerical Issues in Statistical Computing for the Social Scientist
Replication with Attention to Numerical Accuracy
Numerical issues matter in statistical analysis. Small errors occur when numbers are translated from paper and pencil into the binary world of computers. Surprisingly, these errors may be propagated and magnified through binary calculations, eventually producing statistical estimates far from the truth. In this replication and extension article, we look at one method of verifying the accuracy of statistical estimates by running these same data an…
A Bayesian approach to detecting electoral manipulation
A Digital Library for the Dissemination and Replication of Quantitative Social Science Research: The Virtual Data Center
The Virtual Data Center software is an open-source, digital library system for quantitative data. The authors discuss what the software does, how it provides an infrastructure for the management and dissemination of distributed collections of quantitative data, and the replication of results derived from these data
Choosing Reliable Statistical Software
Should we trust the results of our statistical computations? Closely following the development of the mainframe computer, Longley (1967) criticized the accuracy of the first regression programs. Approximately every 10 years thereafter, similar comments echoed for each new generation of statistical software. In a recent criticism, McCullough and Vinod (1999) argue that commonly used statistical packages may give “horrendously inaccurate” results, …
Traditional Districting Principles: Judicial Myths vs. Reality
Modeling the effect of mandatory district compactness on partisan gerrymanders
Modeling the effect of mandatory district compactness on partisan gerrymanders
From Crayons to Computers: The Evolution of Computer Use in Redistricting
Following the most recent round of redistricting, observers across the political spectrum warned that computing technology had fundamentally changed redistricting, for the worse. They are concerned that computers enable the creation of finely crafted redistricting plans that promote partisan and career goals, to the detriment of electoral competition, and that, ultimately, thwart voters’ ability to express their will through the ballot box. In th…
Replication with Attention to Numerical Accuracy
Numerical issues matter in statistical analysis. Small errors occur when numbers are translated from paper and pencil into the binary world of computers. Surprisingly, these errors may be propagated and magnified through binary calculations, eventually producing statistical estimates far from the truth. In this replication and extension article, we look at one method of verifying the accuracy of statistical estimates by running these same data an…
Current Research in Voting, Elections, and Technology
The articles in this special issue raise and refine questions about our understanding of the use of, state of the art in, and challenges associated with voting and election technology, broadly conceived. Although researchers have yet to achieve consensus on the broad impact of information technology on our understanding of the practice of politics, the broad outlines of a research agenda are emerging. In this overview, we discuss the current work…
A Digital Library for the Dissemination and Replication of Quantitative Social Science Research: The Virtual Data Center
The Virtual Data Center software is an open-source, digital library system for quantitative data. The authors discuss what the software does, how it provides an infrastructure for the management and dissemination of distributed collections of quantitative data, and the replication of results derived from these data
Funding, Funding
I show herein how to develop fundable proposals to support your research. Although the proposal strategy I discuss is commonly used in successful proposals, most junior faculty (and many senior scholars) in political science and other social sciences seem to be unaware of it. I dispel myths about funding, and discuss how to find funders and target funding programs. I then outline how to write a proposal; and detail how to respond to reviews
Redistricting by Formula: An Ohio Reform Experiment
In the last decade, Ohio reformers advocated redistricting by formula: selecting the redistricting plan that scores best on a predefined objective scoring function that combines prima facie neutral criteria with political goals of plan fairness and district competition. In the post-2010 redistricting, these reformers hosted a public competition where prizes were awarded to the best legal plan scored on the reformers’ formula. The submitted plans …
Components of partisan bias originating from single-member districts in multi-party systems: An application to Mexico
Racing and Queering the Interface: Producing Global/Local Cyberselves
This essay is concerned with social and cultural problems of producing, consuming, and using technology. Based on epistemologies of doing, we race and queer the interface while doing technologies as they are located in specific contexts and moments. Our multi-vocal cyberethnographic engagement explores the production of selves at the intersection of online/offline activities. Our narratives shed light on how power works in multiply mediated conte…
How to Set a Random Clock: Remarks on Earnest (2006)
We read with interest David C. Earnest's recent (July 2006) PS article about the pedagogical challenges surrounding the statistical computation of pseudo-random numbers (PRNGs). We write to clarify some issues regarding the testing and setting of PRNG seeds, and to direct readers' attention to a set of resources for configuring computationally accurate simulations and statistical analyses
Measuring the Difference Between White Voting and Polling on Interracial Marriage
Major questions remain about the extent and political significance of White racial attitudes. In this paper, we examine an alternative source of data on racial attitudes-actual voting on the purely symbolic repeal of antimiscegenation referenda. By applying cross-level (ecological) inference methods to this unique data, we find, surprisingly, that White voting behavior differs dramatically from what would be predicted based on previous survey res…
A Bayesian approach to detecting electoral manipulation
Choosing Reliable Statistical Software
Should we trust the results of our statistical computations? Closely following the development of the mainframe computer, Longley (1967) criticized the accuracy of the first regression programs. Approximately every 10 years thereafter, similar comments echoed for each new generation of statistical software. In a recent criticism, McCullough and Vinod (1999) argue that commonly used statistical packages may give “horrendously inaccurate” results, …
Traditional Districting Principles: Judicial Myths vs. Reality
Traditional Districting Principles: Judicial Myths vs. Reality
Modeling the effect of mandatory district compactness on partisan gerrymanders
A Digital Library for the Dissemination and Replication of Quantitative Social Science Research: The Virtual Data Center
The Virtual Data Center software is an open-source, digital library system for quantitative data. The authors discuss what the software does, how it provides an infrastructure for the management and dissemination of distributed collections of quantitative data, and the replication of results derived from these data
Choosing Reliable Statistical Software
Should we trust the results of our statistical computations? Closely following the development of the mainframe computer, Longley (1967) criticized the accuracy of the first regression programs. Approximately every 10 years thereafter, similar comments echoed for each new generation of statistical software. In a recent criticism, McCullough and Vinod (1999) argue that commonly used statistical packages may give “horrendously inaccurate” results, …
A Bayesian approach to detecting electoral manipulation
Numerical Issues in Statistical Computing for the Social Scientist
Replication with Attention to Numerical Accuracy
Numerical issues matter in statistical analysis. Small errors occur when numbers are translated from paper and pencil into the binary world of computers. Surprisingly, these errors may be propagated and magnified through binary calculations, eventually producing statistical estimates far from the truth. In this replication and extension article, we look at one method of verifying the accuracy of statistical estimates by running these same data an…
From Crayons to Computers: The Evolution of Computer Use in Redistricting
Following the most recent round of redistricting, observers across the political spectrum warned that computing technology had fundamentally changed redistricting, for the worse. They are concerned that computers enable the creation of finely crafted redistricting plans that promote partisan and career goals, to the detriment of electoral competition, and that, ultimately, thwart voters’ ability to express their will through the ballot box. In th…
Current Research in Voting, Elections, and Technology
The articles in this special issue raise and refine questions about our understanding of the use of, state of the art in, and challenges associated with voting and election technology, broadly conceived. Although researchers have yet to achieve consensus on the broad impact of information technology on our understanding of the practice of politics, the broad outlines of a research agenda are emerging. In this overview, we discuss the current work…
How to Set a Random Clock: Remarks on Earnest (2006)
We read with interest David C. Earnest's recent (July 2006) PS article about the pedagogical challenges surrounding the statistical computation of pseudo-random numbers (PRNGs). We write to clarify some issues regarding the testing and setting of PRNG seeds, and to direct readers' attention to a set of resources for configuring computationally accurate simulations and statistical analyses
Measuring the Difference Between White Voting and Polling on Interracial Marriage
Major questions remain about the extent and political significance of White racial attitudes. In this paper, we examine an alternative source of data on racial attitudes-actual voting on the purely symbolic repeal of antimiscegenation referenda. By applying cross-level (ecological) inference methods to this unique data, we find, surprisingly, that White voting behavior differs dramatically from what would be predicted based on previous survey res…
Open Research Questions on Information and Technology in Global and Domestic Politics—Beyond “E-”
Accelerating technological change is one of the defining characteristics of this era. And the intersection of information, technology, and politics is a constantly changing arena. Technological change can provide the subject for political debate, such as in the controversy over electronic voting (see Tokaji 2005); affect the means by which politics is conducted, such as in the use of information technologies to provide government services and col…
Racing and Queering the Interface: Producing Global/Local Cyberselves
This essay is concerned with social and cultural problems of producing, consuming, and using technology. Based on epistemologies of doing, we race and queer the interface while doing technologies as they are located in specific contexts and moments. Our multi-vocal cyberethnographic engagement explores the production of selves at the intersection of online/offline activities. Our narratives shed light on how power works in multiply mediated conte…
Funding, Funding
I show herein how to develop fundable proposals to support your research. Although the proposal strategy I discuss is commonly used in successful proposals, most junior faculty (and many senior scholars) in political science and other social sciences seem to be unaware of it. I dispel myths about funding, and discuss how to find funders and target funding programs. I then outline how to write a proposal; and detail how to respond to reviews
Components of partisan bias originating from single-member districts in multi-party systems: An application to Mexico
The Public Mapping Project: How Public Participation Can Revolutionize Redistricting
The Laurence and Lynne Brown Democracy Medal is an initiative of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Pennsylvania State University. It annually recognizes outstanding individuals, groups, and organizations that produce exceptional innovations to further democracy in the United States or around the world. This book unveils the Public Mapping Project, which developed DistrictBuilder, an open-source software redistricting application designed …
Redistricting by Formula: An Ohio Reform Experiment
In the last decade, Ohio reformers advocated redistricting by formula: selecting the redistricting plan that scores best on a predefined objective scoring function that combines prima facie neutral criteria with political goals of plan fairness and district competition. In the post-2010 redistricting, these reformers hosted a public competition where prizes were awarded to the best legal plan scored on the reformers’ formula. The submitted plans …
Interventions in scholarly communication: Design lessons from public health
Many argue that swift and fundamental interventions in the system of scholarly communication are needed. However, there are substantial disagreements over the short- and long-term benefits of most proposed approaches to changing the practice of science communication, and the lack of systematic, empirically based research in this area makes these controversies difficult to resolve. We argue that experience within public health can be usefully appl…
Computer Science (17 works) · Political science (13 works) · Law (11 works) · Politics (11 works) · Data science (6 works) · Electoral Systems and Political Participation (6 works) · Sociology (6 works) · Engineering (5 works) · Law (5 works) · Mathematics (5 works)