On the improved estimation of a function of the scale parameter of an exponential distribution based on doubly censored sample

In the present article, we have studied the estimation of entropy, that is, a function of scale parameter ln⁡σ of an exponential distribution based on doubly censored sample when the location parameter is restricted to positive real line. The estimation problem is studied under a general class of bowl-shaped non monotone location invariant loss functions. It is established that the best affine equivariant estimator (BAEE) is inadmissible by deriving an improved estimator. This estimator is non-smooth. Further, we have obtained a smooth improved estimator. A class of estimators is considered and sufficient conditions are derived under which these estimators improve upon the BAEE. In particular, using these results we have obtained the improved estimators for the squared error and the linex loss functions. Finally, we have compared the risk performance of the proposed estimators numerically. One data analysis has been performed for illustrative purposes.     

ESTIMATION OF EXPONENTIATED WEIBULL SHAPE PARAMETERS UNDER LINEX LOSS FUNCTION

ABSTRACT

The paper deals with Bayes estimation of the exponentiated Weibull shape parameters under linex loss function when independent non-informative type of priors are available for the parameters. Generalized maximum likelihood estimators have also been obtained. Performances of the proposed Bayes estimator, generalized maximum likelihood estimators, posterior mean (i.e., Bayes estimator under squared error loss function) and maximum likelihood estimators have been studied on the basis of their risks under linex loss function. The comparison is based on a simulation study because the expressions for risk functions of these estimators cannot be obtained in nice closed forms.     

Estimating the common hazard rate of two exponential distributions with ordered location parameters

This paper is concerned with estimating the common hazard rate of two exponential distributions with unknown and ordered location parameters under a general class of bowl-shaped scale invariant loss functions. The inadmissibility of the best affine equivariant estimator is established by deriving an improved estimator. Another estimator is obtained which improves upon the best affine equivariant estimator. A class of improving estimators is derived using the integral expression of risk difference approach of Kubokawa [A unified approach to improving equivariant estimators. Ann Statist. 1994;22(1):290–299]. These results are applied to specific loss functions. It is further shown that these estimators can be derived for four important sampling schemes: (i) complete and i.i.d. sample, (ii) record values, (iii) type-II censoring, and (iv) progressive Type-II censoring. A simulation study is carried out for numerically comparing the risk performance of these proposed estimators.     

Inference based on progressively censored sample from Pareto population

Abstract

In this paper, we assume that the lifetimes have a two-parameter Pareto distribution and discuss some results of progressive Type-II censored sample. We obtain maximum likelihood estimators and Bayes estimators of the unknown parameters under squared error loss and a precautionary loss functions in progressively Type-II censored sample. Robust Bayes estimation of unknown parameters over three different classes of priors under progressively Type-II censored sample, squared error loss, and precautionary loss functions are obtained. We discuss estimation of unknown parameters on competing risks progressive Type-II censoring. Finally, we consider the problem of estimating the common scale parameter of two Pareto distributions when samples are progressively Type-II censored.     

Inference on the Common Variance of Correlated Normal Random Variables

ABSTRACT

Scale equivariant estimators of the common variance σ², of correlated normal random variables, have mean squared errors (MSE) which depend on the unknown correlations. For this reason, a scale equivariant estimator of σ² which uniformly minimizes the MSE does not exist. For the equi-correlated case, we have developed three equivariant estimators of σ²: a Bayesian estimator for invariant prior as well as two non-Bayesian estimators. We then generalized these three estimators for the case of several variables with multiple unknown correlations. In addition, we developed a system of confidence intervals which produce the desired coverage probability while being efficient in terms of expected length.     

Stress-strength reliability estimation for exponentially distributed system with common minimum guarantee time

Abstract

In this article, we study the problem of estimating the stress-strength reliability, where the stress and strength variables follow independent exponential distributions with a common location parameter but different scale parameters. All parameters are assumed to be unknown. We derive the MLE, the UMVUE of the reliability parameter. We also derive the Bayes estimators considering conjugate prior distributions for the scale parameters and a dependent prior for the common location parameter. Monte Carlo simulations have been carried out to compare among the proposed estimators with respect to different loss functions.     

Estimation of a Gamma Scale Parameter Under Asymmetric Squared Log Error Loss

Abstract

Estimation of scale parameter under the squared log error loss function is considered with restriction to the principle of invariance and risk unbiasedness. An explicit form of minimum risk scale-equivariant estimator under this loss is obtained. The admissibility and inadmissibility of a class of linear estimators of the form (cT + d) are considered, where T follows a gamma distribution with an unknown scale parameter η and a known shape parameter ν. This includes the admissibility of the minimum risk equivariant estimator on η (MRE).     

Comparison of normal variance estimators under multiple criteria and towards a compromise estimator

For estimating a normal variance under the squared error loss function it is well known that the best affine (location and scale) equivariant estimator, which is better than the maximum likelihood estimator as well as the unbiased estimator, is also inadmissible. The improved estimators, e.g., stein type, brown type and Brewster–Zidek type, are all scale equivariant but not location invariant. Lately, a good amount of research has been done to compare the improved estimators in terms of risk, but comparatively less attention had been paid to compare these estimators in terms of the Pitman nearness criterion (PNC) as well as the stochastic domination criterion (SDC). In this paper, we have undertaken a comprehensive study to compare various variance estimators in terms of the PNC and the SDC, which has been long overdue. Finally, using the results for risk, the PNC and the SDC, we propose a compromise estimator (sort of a robust estimator) which appears to work ‘well’ under all the criteria discussed above.     

Estimation of common location parameter of several heterogeneous exponential populations based on generalized order statistics

In this article, several independent populations following exponential distribution with common location parameter and unknown and unequal scale parameters are considered. From these populations, several independent samples of generalized order statistics (gos) are drawn. Under the setup of gos, the problem of estimation of common location parameter is discussed and various estimators of common location parameter are derived. The authors obtained maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), modified MLE and uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator of common location parameter. Furthermore, under scaled-squared error loss function, a general inadmissibility result of invariant estimator is proposed. The derived results are further reduced for upper record values which is a special case of gos. Finally, simulation study and real life example are reported to show the performances of various competing estimators in terms of percentage risk improvement.     

Superiority of the r-k class estimator over some estimators in a misspecified linear model

ABSTRACT

In this article, we discuss the superiority of r-k class estimator over some estimators in a misspecified linear model. We derive the necessary and sufficient conditions for the superiority of the r-k class estimator over each of these estimators under the Mahalanobis loss function by the average loss criterion in the misspecified linear model.     

A note on the common location parameter of several exponential populations

The problem of estimation of an unknown common location parameter of several exponential populations with unknown and possibly unequal scale parameters is considered. A wide class of estimators, including both a modified maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), and the uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator (Umvue) proposed by ghosh and razmpour(1984), is obtained under a class of convex loss functions.     

Shrinkage estimation of location parameters in a multivariate skew-normal distribution

Abstract

This paper studies decision theoretic properties of Stein type shrinkage estimators in simultaneous estimation of location parameters in a multivariate skew-normal distribution with known skewness parameters under a quadratic loss. The benchmark estimator is the best location equivariant estimator which is minimax. A class of shrinkage estimators improving on the best location equivariant estimator is constructed when the dimension of the location parameters is larger than or equal to four. An empirical Bayes estimator is also derived, and motivated from the Bayesian procedure, we suggest a simple skew-adjusted shrinkage estimator and show its dominance property. The performances of these estimators are investigated by simulation.     

Estimation of the common scale of several shifted exponential distributions with unknown locations

We consider the estimation of the common scale parameter of two or more independent shifted exponential distributions with unknown locations. Under a large class of bowl-shaped loss functions, the best location-scale in-variant estimator is shown to be inadmissible. A class of improved estimators is derived. Some numerical results are presented to show the magnitude of risk reduction.     

Improved versions of greenwood estimators under koziol-green model

ABSTRACT

It is well known that the Greenwood estimators underestimate the variances of the Nelson-Aalen estimator and the Kaplan-Meier estimator. In this article, we reveal some “improved” versions of the Greenwood estimators under the Koziol-Green model.     

Statistical inference for varying-coefficient partially linear errors-in-variables models with missing data

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we investigate estimations in varying-coefficient partially linear errors-in-variables models with covariates missing at random. However, the estimators are often biased due to the existence of measurement errors, the bias-corrected profile least-squares estimator and local liner estimators for unknown parametric and coefficient functions are obtained based on inverse probability weighted method. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators both for the parameter and nonparametric parts are established. Second, we study asymptotic distributions of an empirical log-likelihood ratio statistic and maximum empirical likelihood estimator for the unknown parameter. Based on this, more accurate confidence regions of the unknown parameter can be constructed. The methods are examined through simulation studies and illustrated by a real data analysis.     

Estimation of Pr( x<y ) in the exponential case with common location parameter

This paper considers the problem of estimating the probability P = Pr(X < Y) when X and Y are independent exponential random variables with unequal scale parameters and a common location parameter. Uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator of P is obtained. The asymptotic distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator is obtained and then the asymptotic equivalence of the two estimators is established. Performance of the two estimators for moderate sample sizes is studied by Monte Carlo simulation. An approximate interval estimator is also obtained.     

A two-stage estimation for panel data models with grouped fixed effects

ABSTRACT

This paper considers panel data models with fixed effects which have grouped patterns with unknown group membership. A two-stage estimation (TSE) procedure is developed to improve the properties of the GFE estimators of common parameters when the time span is small. Firstly, the common parameters are estimated. Subsequently, the optimal group assignment and the estimators of group effects are obtained by the K-means algorithm. Monte Carlo results reveal that the TSE estimator has a much smaller bias than the GFE estimator when the values of difference between effects are moderately small or at high variance of the idiosyncratic error.     

A comparison of estimators for the mean in the inverse gaussian distribution with a known coefficient of variation

In this paper, we discuss an estimation problem of the mean in the inverse Gaussian distribution with a known coefficient of variation. Two types of linear estimators for the mean, the linear minimum variance unbiased estimator and the linear minimum mean squared error estimator, are constructed by using the squared error loss function and their properties are examined. It is observed that, for small samples the performance of the proposed estimators is better than that of the maximum likelihood estimator, when the coefficient of variation is large.     

On estimation of the scale matrix of the multivariate f distribution

Let F _p×phave a multivariate F distribution with a scale p×p matrix Δ and degrees of freedom k₁ and k₂ such that k_i - p - 1 > 0, i = 1,2. The estimation of Δ under entropy and squared error loss functions are considered. In both cases a new class of orthogonally invariant estimators are obtained which dominate the best unbiased estimator.