Generalizing the Welch Test To Non-Zero Hypotheses on the Variance Component in the One-Way Random Effects Model Under Variance Heterogeneity

In an unbalanced and heteroscedastic one-way random effects model of analysis of variance we consider hypotheses concerning the between group variance where in a classical set-up the hypothesis whether this variance component is zero is tested. We consider the still open problem of testing also extended hypotheses concerning this parameter and generalize the prominent Welch test to deal with these hypotheses, too.     

Goodness-of-fit tests via ϕ-measures of divergence for censored data

Measures of divergence or discrepancy are used extensively in statistics in various fields. In this article, we are focusing on divergence measures that are based on a class of measures known as Csiszar's divergence measures. In particular, we propose a class of goodness-of-fit tests based on Csiszar's class of measures designed for censored survival or reliability data. Further, we derive the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic under simple and composite null hypotheses as well as under contiguous alternative hypotheses. Simulations are furnished and real data are analysed to show the performance of the proposed tests for different ?-divergence measures.     

Power and sample size calculation for paired right-censored data based on survival copula models

Sample size determination is essential during the planning phases of clinical trials. To calculate the required sample size for paired right-censored data, the structure of the within-paired correlations needs to be pre-specified. In this article, we consider using popular parametric copula models, including the Clayton, Gumbel, or Frank families, to model the distribution of joint survival times. Under each copula model, we derive a sample size formula based on the testing framework for rank-based tests and non-rank-based tests (i.e., logrank test and Kaplan–Meier statistic, respectively). We also investigate how the power or the sample size was affected by the choice of testing methods and copula model under different alternative hypotheses. In addition to this, we examine the impacts of paired-correlations, accrual times, follow-up times, and the loss to follow-up rates on sample size estimation. Finally, two real-world studies are used to illustrate our method and R code is available to the user.     

RAO'S SCORE TESTS IN SURVIVAL ANALYSIS: EXAMPLES AND BARTLETT TYPE ADJUSTMENTS

Score method in hypothesis testing is one of Professor C. R. Rao's great contributions to statistics. It provides a simple and unified way to test some simple and composite hypotheses in many statistical problems. Some popular tests in statistical practice derived with the help of intuitions can be shown as score tests under some statistical models. The subject-years test and log-rank test in survival analysis are two of the examples. In this paper, we first introduce these two examples. After formulating these two tests as score tests, we then review some recent results on the Bartlett type adjustments for these tests.     

A note on the manova model with double linear restrictions

In this note we show how one may construct goodness-of-fit tests to test hypotheses for the restricted MANOVA and GMANOVA models using the multivariate seemingly unrelated regression (MSUR) model.     

A doubly robust goodness-of-fit test in general linear models with missing covariates

In this article, we utilize a form of general linear model where missing data occurred randomly on the covariates. We propose a test function based on the doubly robust method to investigate goodness of fit of the model. For this aim, kernel method is used to estimate unknown functions under estimating equation method. Doubly robustness and asymptotic properties of the test function are obtained under local and alternative hypotheses. Furthermore, we investigate the power of the proposed test function by means of some simulation studies and finally we apply this method on analyzing a real dataset.     

The equivalence between likelihood ratio test and F-test for testing variance component in a balanced one-way random effects model

In mixed linear models, it is frequently of interest to test hypotheses on the variance components. F-test and likelihood ratio test (LRT) are commonly used for such purposes. Current LRTs available in literature are based on limiting distribution theory. With the development of finite sample distribution theory, it becomes possible to derive the exact test for likelihood ratio statistic. In this paper, we consider the problem of testing null hypotheses on the variance component in a one-way balanced random effects model. We use the exact test for the likelihood ratio statistic and compare the performance of F-test and LRT. Simulations provide strong support of the equivalence between these two tests. Furthermore, we prove the equivalence between these two tests mathematically.     

Two‐Sample Test Against One‐Sided Alternatives

Abstract. This paper proposes, implements and investigates a new non‐parametric two‐sample test for detecting stochastic dominance. We pose the question of detecting the stochastic dominance in a non‐standard way. This is motivated by existing evidence showing that standard formulations and pertaining procedures may lead to serious errors in inference. The procedure that we introduce matches testing and model selection. More precisely, we reparametrize the testing problem in terms of Fourier coefficients of well‐known comparison densities. Next, the estimated Fourier coefficients are used to form a kind of signed smooth rank statistic. In such a setting, the number of Fourier coefficients incorporated into the statistic is a smoothing parameter. We determine this parameter via some flexible selection rule. We establish the asymptotic properties of the new test under null and alternative hypotheses. The finite sample performance of the new solution is demonstrated through Monte Carlo studies and an application to a set of survival times.     

The use of multi-state capture-recapture models to address questions in evolutionary ecology

Multi-state capture-recapture models can be used to estimate survival rates in populations that are stratified by location or by state variables associated with individual animals. In populations stratified by location, movement probabilities can be estimated and used to test hypotheses relevant to population genetics and evolutionary ecology. When the interest is in state variables, these models permit estimation and testing of hypotheses about state-specific survival probabilities. If the state variable of interest is reproductive activity or success, then the multi-state modeling approach can be used to test hypotheses about life history trade-offs and a possible cost of reproduction.     

Likelihood ratio tests for fuzzy hypotheses testing

In hypotheses testing, such as other statistical problems, we may confront imprecise concepts. One case is a situation in which hypotheses are imprecise. In this paper, we recall and redefine some concepts about fuzzy hypotheses testing, and then we introduce the likelihood ratio test for fuzzy hypotheses testing. Finally, we give some applied examples.     

Cancer immunotherapy trial design with delayed treatment effect

A challenge arising in cancer immunotherapy trial design is the presence of a delayed treatment effect wherein the proportional hazard assumption no longer holds true. As a result, a traditional survival trial design based on the standard log‐rank test, which ignores the delayed treatment effect, will lead to substantial loss of statistical power. Recently, a piecewise weighted log‐rank test is proposed to incorporate the delayed treatment effect into consideration of the trial design. However, because the sample size formula was derived under a sequence of local alternative hypotheses, it results in an underestimated sample size when the hazard ratio is relatively small for a balanced trial design and an inaccurate sample size estimation for an unbalanced design. In this article, we derived a new sample size formula under a fixed alternative hypothesis for the delayed treatment effect model. Simulation results show that the new formula provides accurate sample size estimation for both balanced and unbalanced designs.     

On Goodness-of-Fit Tests for Aalen's Additive Risk Model

Abstract.  In this paper we propose goodness-of-fit tests for Aalen's additive risk model. They are based on test statistics the asymptotic distributions of which are determined under both the null and alternative hypotheses. The results are derived using martingale techniques for counting processes. An important feature of these tests is that they can be adjusted to particular alternatives. One of the alternatives we consider is Cox's multiplicative risk model. It is perhaps remarkable that such a test needs no estimate of the baseline hazard in the Cox model. We present simulation studies which give an impression of the performance of the proposed tests. In addition, the tests are applied to real data sets.     

A Wald-type test statistic based on robust modified median estimator in logistic regression models

In this paper a new robust estimator, modified median estimator, is introduced and studied for the logistic regression model. This estimator is based on the median estimator considered in Hobza et al. [Robust median estimator in logistic regression. J Stat Plan Inference. 2008;138:3822–3840]. Its asymptotic distribution is obtained. Using the modified median estimator, we also consider a Wald-type test statistic for testing linear hypotheses in the logistic regression model and we obtain its asymptotic distribution under the assumption of random regressors. An extensive simulation study is presented in order to analyse the efficiency as well as the robustness of the modified median estimator and Wald-type test based on it.     

A Robust Test for Non-nested Hypotheses

We propose a robust version of Cox-type test statistics for the choice between two non-nested hypotheses. We first show that the influence of small amounts of contamination in the data on the test decision can be very large. Secondly, we build a robust test statistic by using the results on robust parametric tests that are available in the literature and show that the level of the robust test is stable. Finally, we show numerically not only the robustness of this new test statistic but also that its asymptotic distribution is a good approximation of its sample distribution, unlike for the classical test statistic. We apply our results to the choice between a Pareto and an exponential distribution as well as between two competing regressors in the simple linear regression model without intercept.     

Multivariate testing and model-checking for generalized order statistics with applications

The exponential family structure of the joint distribution of generalized order statistics is utilized to establish multivariate tests on the model parameters. For simple and composite null hypotheses, the likelihood ratio test (LR test), Wald's test, and Rao's score test are derived and turn out to have simple representations. The asymptotic distribution of the corresponding test statistics under the null hypothesis is stated, and, in case of a simple null hypothesis, asymptotic optimality of the LR test is addressed. Applications of the tests are presented; in particular, we discuss their use in reliability, and to decide whether a Poisson process is homogeneous. Finally, a power study is performed to measure and compare the quality of the tests for both, simple and composite null hypotheses.     

Statistical inference for restricted partially linear varying coefficient errors-in-variables models

As a useful extension of partially linear models and varying coefficient models, the partially linear varying coefficient model is useful in statistical modelling. This paper considers statistical inference for the semiparametric model when the covariates in the linear part are measured with additive error and some additional linear restrictions on the parametric component are available. We propose a restricted modified profile least-squares estimator for the parametric component, and prove the asymptotic normality of the proposed estimator. To test hypotheses on the parametric component, we propose a test statistic based on the difference between the corrected residual sums of squares under the null and alterative hypotheses, and show that its limiting distribution is a weighted sum of independent chi-square distributions. We also develop an adjusted test statistic, which has an asymptotically standard chi-squared distribution. Some simulation studies are conducted to illustrate our approaches.     

Bayesian (mean) most powerful tests

A fundamental theorem in hypothesis testing is the Neyman‐Pearson (N‐P) lemma, which creates the most powerful test of simple hypotheses. In this article, we establish Bayesian framework of hypothesis testing, and extend the Neyman‐Pearson lemma to create the Bayesian most powerful test of general hypotheses, thus providing optimality theory to determine thresholds of Bayes factors. Unlike conventional Bayes tests, the proposed Bayesian test is able to control the type I error.     

A Correction Note on Improvement in Variance Estimation Using Auxiliary Information

ABSTRACT

In this paper, the testing problem for homogeneity in the mixture exponential family is considered. The model is irregular in the sense that each interest parameter forms a part of the null hypothesis (sub-null hypothesis) and the null hypothesis is the union of the sub-null hypotheses. The generalized likelihood ratio test does not distinguish between the sub-null hypotheses. The Supplementary Score Test is proposed by combining two orthogonalized score tests obtained corresponding to the two sub-null hypotheses after proper reparameterization. The test is easy to design and performs better than the generalized likelihood ratio test and other alternative tests by numerical comparisons.     

On the sample breakdown robustness of some nonparametric tests

In this paper, relying on the sample breakdown points, we investigate the sample breakdown properties of some nonparametric tests. It is shown that the sample breakdown points of the sign test asymptotically dominate those of the Wilcoxon test for one–sided hypotheses, However, the different conclusion is derived in the case of testing some shrinking neighborhood hypotheses. The breakdown behaviors of the Kolmogorov test and X²–test are also explored. These studies unify or refine some existing breakdown analyses of tests.     

Rao's score test with nonparametric density estimators

Traditionally, Rao's score (RS) tests are constructed under a parametric specification of the probability density function. We estimate the density function by a non-parametric estimator and consider a semi-parametric Rao's score (SPRS) test for a set of hypotheses concerning the parametric model. The asymptotic distribution of the SPRS test is analyzed. Further, for the regression model, we carry out a set of Monte Carlo experiments to analyze the size and power of the SPRS test in small samples. The robustness of SPRS test to the choice of the density estimator is also analyzed.