Non Regular Statistical Estimation

In order to obtain many of the classical results in the theory of statistical estimation, it is usual to impose regularity conditions on the distributions under consideration. In small sample and large sample theories of estimation there are well established sets of regularity conditions, and it is worth while to examine what may follow if any one of these regularity conditions fail to hold. "Non-regular estimation" literally means the theory of statistical estimation when some or other of the regularity conditions fail to hold. In this monograph, the authors present a systematic study of the meaning and implications of regularity conditions, and show how the relaxation of such conditions can often lead to surprising conclusions. Their emphasis is on considering small sample results and to show how pathological examples may be considered in this broader framework.

In order to obtain many of the classical results in the theory of statistical estimation, it is usual to impose regularity conditions on the distributions under consideration. In small sample and large sample theories of estimation there are well established sets of regularity conditions, and it is worth while to examine what may follow if any one of these regularity conditions fail to hold. "Non-regular estimation" literally means the theory of statistical estimation when some or other of the regularity conditions fail to hold. In this monograph, the authors present a systematic study of the meaning and implications of regularity conditions, and show how the relaxation of such conditions can often lead to surprising conclusions. Their emphasis is on considering small sample results and to show how pathological examples may be considered in this broader framework.

This book presents new findings on nonregular statistical estimation. Unlike other books on this topic, its major emphasis is on helping readers understand the meaning and implications of both regularity and irregularity through a certain family of distributions. In particular, it focuses on a truncated exponential family of distributions with a natural parameter and truncation parameter as a typical nonregular family. This focus includes the (truncated) Pareto distribution, which is widely used in various fields such as finance, physics, hydrology, geology, astronomy, and other disciplines. The family is essential in that it links both regular and nonregular distributions, as it becomes a regular exponential family if the truncation parameter is known. The emphasis is on presenting new results on the maximum likelihood estimation of a natural parameter or truncation parameter if one of them is a nuisance parameter. In order to obtain more information on the truncation, the Bayesian approach is also considered. Further, the application to some useful truncated distributions is discussed. The illustrated clarification of the nonregular structure provides researchers and practitioners with a solid basis for further research and applications.

This book focuses on the meaning of statistical inference and estimation. Statistical inference is concerned with the problems of estimation of population parameters and testing hypotheses. Primarily aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students of statistics, the book is also useful to professionals and researchers in statistical, medical, social and other disciplines. It discusses current methodological techniques used in statistics and related interdisciplinary areas. Every concept is supported with relevant research examples to help readers to find the most suitable application. Statistical tools have been presented by using real-life examples, removing the “fear factor” usually associated with this complex subject. The book will help readers to discover diverse perspectives of statistical theory followed by relevant worked-out examples. Keeping in mind the needs of readers, as well as constantly changing scenarios, the material is presented in an easy-to-understand form.

Although there has been a surge of interest in density estimation in recent years, much of the published research has been concerned with purely technical matters with insufficient emphasis given to the technique's practical value. Furthermore, the subject has been rather inaccessible to the general statistician. The account presented in this book places emphasis on topics of methodological importance, in the hope that this will facilitate broader practical application of density estimation and also encourage research into relevant theoretical work. The book also provides an introduction to the subject for those with general interests in statistics. The important role of density estimation as a graphical technique is reflected by the inclusion of more than 50 graphs and figures throughout the text. Several contexts in which density estimation can be used are discussed, including the exploration and presentation of data, nonparametric discriminant analysis, cluster analysis, simulation and the bootstrap, bump hunting, projection pursuit, and the estimation of hazard rates and other quantities that depend on the density. This book includes general survey of methods available for density estimation. The Kernel method, both for univariate and multivariate data, is discussed in detail, with particular emphasis on ways of deciding how much to smooth and on computation aspects. Attention is also given to adaptive methods, which smooth to a greater degree in the tails of the distribution, and to methods based on the idea of penalized likelihood.