In a time when increasingly larger and complex data collections are being produced, it is clear that new and adaptive forms of data representation and analysis have to be conceived and implemented. Distributional data, i.e., data where a distribution rather than a single value is recorded for each descriptor, on each unit, come into this framework. Distributional data may result from the aggregation of large amounts of open/collected/generated data, or it may be directly available in a structured or unstructured form, describing the variability of some features. This book provides models and methods for the representation, analysis, interpretation, and organization of distributional data, taking into account its specific nature, and not relying on a reduction to single values, to be conform to classical paradigms. Conceived as an edited book, gathering contributions from multiple authors, the book presents alternative representations and analysis' methods for distributional data of different types, and in particular, -Uni- and bi-variate descriptive statistics for distributional data -Clustering and classification methodologies -Methods for the representation in low-dimensional spaces -Regression models and forecasting approaches for distribution-valued variables Furthermore, the different chapters -Feature applications to show how the proposed methods work in practice, and how results are to be interpreted, -Often provide information about available software. The methodologies presented in this book constitute cutting-edge developments for stakeholders from all domains who produce and analyse large amounts of complex data, to be analysed in the form of distributions. The book is hence of interest for companies operating not only in the area of data analytics, but also on logistics, energy and finance. It also concerns national statistical institutes and other institutions at European and international level, where microdata is aggregated to preserve confidentiality and allow for analysis at the appropriate regional level. Academics will find in the analysis of distributional data a challenging up-to-date field of research.

This textbook is a comprehensive guide for students interested in using participatory research to improve people's health and well-being. It is especially designed for those working in the fields of health and social welfare who are embarking on participatory research for the first time. It covers all phases in participatory research from "getting started," to "acting for change," "continuing the journey" and "articulating impact." Its unique format helps readers understand the essence of participatory research as a comprehensive approach for doing research which is underpinned by a set of fundamental values.The many real life examples of participatory research projects from around the world inspire readers to find creative ways to manage their own research while opening up new horizons in their work.

The Archaeology of 'Underdog Sites' in the Douro Valley brings together the best presentations from the eighth and ninth meetings of Archaeology of the Douro Valley, held in Avila and Astorga (Spain), respectively in 2018 and 2019. However, instead of a simple collection of articles, the aim of this publication is to show the importance of projects that have been left in the background despite obtaining interesting archaeological data about the occupation of this valley and its evolution. Moreover, we must take into account that many of these projects support new activity in a rural territory that is increasingly neglected politically and economically. Hence the use of the term 'underdog', defined as a person or group of people with less power or money than the rest of society. Overall, the volume provides a general and interdisciplinary view of the different types of occupation in the territory of the Douro Valley. The chapters are divided into four sections, three of them chronological: Prehistory and Protohistory; Antiquity and Late Antiquity; and the medieval and modern ages. The last section is thematic and includes diachronic studies, museology, and the archaeology of mining. Therefore, the present volume is a medium to showcase the latest research carried out in this important territory and to contribute to knowledge of its history, updating the archaeological state of the art in the valley and presenting results that may be used in the most diverse types of comparative studies.