Interrupted Time Series Analysis: Computer Programs and Accuracy of Intervention Parameter Estimates

Author

John W. Harrop, University of Rhode Island

Date of Award

1986

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Wayne F. Velicer

Abstract

Five computer programs that perform Box and Jenkins (1970) ARIMA model interrupted time series analysis, i.e., TSX, GENTS, SAS, BMDP, and ITSE, were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The qualitative evaluation reviewed their documentation and computational features. The quantitative evaluation was performed by comparing analysis results (estimates of the minimum residual error variance and the intervention parameters) for 10 replications each of 44 simulated time series. The 44 series include 11 different ARIMA models and degrees of dependency; by two forms of intervention, i.e., 1) level (L) and change in level (DL) alone, and 2) level (L), change in level (DL), slope (S), and change in slope (DS); and by two series lengths (40 and 100 points). Major findings are 1) differencing and some autoregressive model solutions are highly inaccurate even with the correct model indentification, 2) GENTS, which does not require that the model be identified, performed comparably (i.e., it provided equivalent solutions, both good and bad) to the "true model" solutions, and 3) model identification appears still to be necessary. Recommendations are made for current analyses, improvements to computer programs, and future research.

Recommended Citation

Harrop, John W., "Interrupted Time Series Analysis: Computer Programs and Accuracy of Intervention Parameter Estimates" (1986). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 939.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/939