Estimation and inference for exponential smooth transition nonlinear volatility models

A family of threshold nonlinear generalised autoregressive conditionally heteroscedastic models is considered, that allows smooth transitions between regimes, capturing size asymmetry via an exponential smooth transition function. A Bayesian approach is taken and an efficient adaptive sampling scheme is employed for inference, including a novel extension to a recently proposed prior for the smoothing parameter that solves a likelihood identification problem. A simulation study illustrates that the sampling scheme performs well, with the chosen prior kept close to uninformative, while successfully ensuring identification of model parameters and accurate inference for the smoothing parameter. An empirical study confirms the potential suitability of the model, highlighting the presence of both mean and volatility (size) asymmetry; while the model is favoured over modern, popular model competitors, including those with sign asymmetry, via the deviance information criterion.     

Modified p-Value of Two-Sided Test for Normal Distribution with Restricted Parameter Space

This article proposes a modified p-value for the two-sided test of the location of the normal distribution when the parameter space is restricted. A commonly used test for the two-sided test of the normal distribution is the uniformly most powerful unbiased (UMPU) test, which is also the likelihood ratio test. The p-value of the test is used as evidence against the null hypothesis. Note that the usual p-value does not depend on the parameter space but only on the observation and the assumption of the null hypothesis. When the parameter space is known to be restricted, the usual p-value cannot sufficiently utilize this information to make a more accurate decision. In this paper, a modified p-value (also called the rp-value) dependent on the parameter space is proposed, and the test derived from the modified p-value is also shown to be the UMPU test.     

Choosing Prior Hyperparameters: With Applications to Time-Varying Parameter Models

Time-varying parameter models with stochastic volatility are widely used to study macroeconomic and financial data. These models are almost exclusively estimated using Bayesian methods. A common practice is to focus on prior distributions that themselves depend on relatively few hyperparameters such as the scaling factor for the prior covariance matrix of the residuals governing time variation in the parameters. The choice of these hyperparameters is crucial because their influence is sizeable for standard sample sizes. In this article, we treat the hyperparameters as part of a hierarchical model and propose a fast, tractable, easy-to-implement, and fully Bayesian approach to estimate those hyperparameters jointly with all other parameters in the model. We show via Monte Carlo simulations that, in this class of models, our approach can drastically improve on using fixed hyperparameters previously proposed in the literature. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.     

Testing for parameter constancy in the time series direction in panel data models

We propose tests for parameter constancy in the time series direction in panel data models. We construct a locally best invariant test based on Tanaka [Time series analysis: nonstationary and noninvertible distribution theory. New York: Wiley; 1996] and an asymptotically point optimal test based on Elliott and Müller [Efficient tests for general persistent time variation in regression coefficients. Rev Econ Stud. 2006;73:907–940]. We derive the limiting distributions of the test statistics as T→∞ while N is fixed, and calculate the critical values by applying numerical integration and response surface regression. Simulation results show that the proposed tests perform well if we apply them appropriately.     

Variations of Q–Q Plots: The Power of Our Eyes!

In statistical modeling, we strive to specify models that resemble data collected in studies or observed from processes. Consequently, distributional specification and parameter estimation are central to parametric models. Graphical procedures, such as the quantile–quantile (Q–Q) plot, are arguably the most widely used method of distributional assessment, though critics find their interpretation to be overly subjective. Formal goodness of fit tests are available and are quite powerful, but only indicate whether there is a lack of fit, not why there is lack of fit. In this article, we explore the use of the lineup protocol to inject rigor into graphical distributional assessment and compare its power to that of formal distributional tests. We find that lineup tests are considerably more powerful than traditional tests of normality. A further investigation into the design of Q–Q plots shows that de-trended Q–Q plots are more powerful than the standard approach as long as the plot preserves distances in x and y to be the same. While we focus on diagnosing nonnormality, our approach is general and can be directly extended to the assessment of other distributions.     

Estimation for change point of discretely observed ergodic diffusion processes

We treat the change point problem in ergodic diffusion processes from discrete observations. Tonaki et al. (2021a) proposed adaptive tests for detecting changes in the diffusion and drift parameters in ergodic diffusion process models. When any change in the diffusion or drift parameter is detected by this or any other method, the next question to consider is where the change point is located. Therefore, we propose the method to estimate the change point of the parameter for two cases: the case where there is a change in the diffusion parameter, and the case where there is no change in the diffusion parameter but a change in the drift parameter. Furthermore, we present rates of convergence and distributional results of the change point estimators. Some examples and simulation results are also given.     

Hypothesis testing in smoothing spline models

Nonparametric regression models are often used to check or suggest a parametric model. Several methods have been proposed to test the hypothesis of a parametric regression function against an alternative smoothing spline model. Some tests such as the locally most powerful (LMP) test by Cox et al. (Cox, D., Koh, E., Wahba, G. and Yandell, B. (1988). Testing the (parametric) null model hypothesis in (semiparametric) partial and generalized spline models. Ann. Stat., 16, 113–119.), the generalized maximum likelihood (GML) ratio test and the generalized cross validation (GCV) test by Wahba (Wahba, G. (1990). Spline models for observational data. CBMS-NSF Regional Conference Series in Applied Mathematics, SIAM.) were developed from the corresponding Bayesian models. Their frequentist properties have not been studied. We conduct simulations to evaluate and compare finite sample performances. Simulation results show that the performances of these tests depend on the shape of the true function. The LMP and GML tests are more powerful for low frequency functions while the GCV test is more powerful for high frequency functions. For all test statistics, distributions under the null hypothesis are complicated. Computationally intensive Monte Carlo methods can be used to calculate null distributions. We also propose approximations to these null distributions and evaluate their performances by simulations.     

A Nonrandomized,Nonconservative Version of the Fisher Exact Test

The Fisher exact test has been unjustly dismissed by some as ‘only conditional,’ whereas it is unconditionally the uniform most powerful test among all unbiased tests, tests of size α and with power greater than its nominal level of significance α. The problem with this truly optimal test is that it requires randomization at the critical value(s) to be of size α. Obviously, in practice, one does not want to conclude that ‘with probability x the we have a statistical significant result.’ Usually, the hypothesis is rejected only if the test statistic's outcome is more extreme than the critical value, reducing the actual size considerably.

The randomized unconditional Fisher exact is constructed (using Neyman–structure arguments) by deriving a conditional randomized test randomizing at critical values c(t) by probabilities γ(t), that both depend on the total number of successes T (the complete-sufficient statistic for the nuisance parameter—the common success probability) conditioned upon.

In this paper, the Fisher exact is approximated by deriving nonrandomized conditional tests with critical region including the critical value only if γ (t) > γ₀, for a fixed threshold value γ₀, such that the size of the unconditional modified test is for all value of the nuisance parameter—the common success probability—smaller, but as close as possible to α. It will be seen that this greatly improves the size of the test as compared with the conservative nonrandomized Fisher exact test.

Size, power, and p value comparison with the (virtual) randomized Fisher exact test, and the conservative nonrandomized Fisher exact, Pearson's chi-square test, with the more competitive mid-p value, the McDonald's modification, and Boschloo's modifications are performed under the assumption of two binomial samples.     

Blending Bayesian and Classical Tools to Define Optimal Sample-Size-Dependent Significance Levels

ABSTRACT

This article argues that researchers do not need to completely abandon the p-value, the best-known significance index, but should instead stop using significance levels that do not depend on sample sizes. A testing procedure is developed using a mixture of frequentist and Bayesian tools, with a significance level that is a function of sample size, obtained from a generalized form of the Neyman–Pearson Lemma that minimizes a linear combination of α, the probability of rejecting a true null hypothesis, and β, the probability of failing to reject a false null, instead of fixing α and minimizing β. The resulting hypothesis tests do not violate the Likelihood Principle and do not require any constraints on the dimensionalities of the sample space and parameter space. The procedure includes an ordering of the entire sample space and uses predictive probability (density) functions, allowing for testing of both simple and compound hypotheses. Accessible examples are presented to highlight specific characteristics of the new tests.     

Natural (Non‐)Informative Priors for Skew‐symmetric Distributions

In this paper, we present an innovative method for constructing proper priors for the skewness (shape) parameter in the skew‐symmetric family of distributions. The proposed method is based on assigning a prior distribution on the perturbation effect of the shape parameter, which is quantified in terms of the total variation distance. We discuss strategies to translate prior beliefs about the asymmetry of the data into an informative prior distribution of this class. We show via a Monte Carlo simulation study that our non‐informative priors induce posterior distributions with good frequentist properties, similar to those of the Jeffreys prior. Our informative priors yield better results than their competitors from the literature. We also propose a scale‐invariant and location‐invariant prior structure for models with unknown location and scale parameters and provide sufficient conditions for the propriety of the corresponding posterior distribution. Illustrative examples are presented using simulated and real data.     

Non Null Asymptotic Distributions of Some Criteria in Censored Exponential Regression

In this article, we consider the class of censored exponential regression models which is very useful for modeling lifetime data. Under a sequence of Pitman alternatives, the asymptotic expansions up to order n^{? 1/2} of the non null distribution functions of the likelihood ratio, Wald, Rao score, and gradient statistics are derive in this class of models. The non null asymptotic distribution functions of these statistics are obtained for testing a composite null hypothesis in the presence of nuisance parameters. The power of all four tests, which are equivalent to first order, are compared based on these non null asymptotic expansions. Furthermore, in order to compare the finite-sample performance of these tests in this class of models, we consider Monte Carlo simulations. We also present an empirical application for illustrative purposes.     

Restricted most powerful Bayesian tests for linear models

Uniformly most powerful Bayesian tests (UMPBTs) are a new class of Bayesian tests in which null hypotheses are rejected if their Bayes factor exceeds a specified threshold. The alternative hypotheses in UMPBTs are defined to maximize the probability that the null hypothesis is rejected. Here, we generalize the notion of UMPBTs by restricting the class of alternative hypotheses over which this maximization is performed, resulting in restricted most powerful Bayesian tests (RMPBTs). We then derive RMPBTs for linear models by restricting alternative hypotheses to g priors. For linear models, the rejection regions of RMPBTs coincide with those of usual frequentist F‐tests, provided that the evidence thresholds for the RMPBTs are appropriately matched to the size of the classical tests. This correspondence supplies default Bayes factors for many common tests of linear hypotheses. We illustrate the use of RMPBTs for ANOVA tests and t‐tests and compare their performance in numerical studies.     

Modified likelihood ratio tests for unit gamma regressions

Regression analyses are commonly performed with doubly limited continuous dependent variables; for instance, when modeling the behavior of rates, proportions and income concentration indices. Several models are available in the literature for use with such variables, one of them being the unit gamma regression model. In all such models, parameter estimation is typically performed using the maximum likelihood method and testing inferences on the model''s parameters are usually based on the likelihood ratio test. Such a test can, however, deliver quite imprecise inferences when the sample size is small. In this paper, we propose two modified likelihood ratio test statistics for use with the unit gamma regressions that deliver much more accurate inferences when the number of data points in small. Numerical (i.e. simulation) evidence is presented for both fixed dispersion and varying dispersion models, and also for tests that involve nonnested models. We also present and discuss two empirical applications.     

A CONTINUOUSLY ADAPTIVE RANK TEST FOR SHIFT IN LOCATION

This paper considers the problem of testing for shift in location when the symmetry of the underlying distribution is in doubt. Various adaptive test procedures have been suggested in the literature; they are mainly based on a preliminary test or measure of asymmetry, and then choosing between the sign or the Wilcoxon tests accordingly. However, as this paper demonstrates, there are some disadvantages with such procedures. This paper develops a test that does not suffer from such disadvantages. The proposed test is based on modifying the Wilcoxon scores according to the evidence of asymmetry of the distribution present in the data as indicated by the magnitude of the P‐value from a preliminary test of symmetry. A simulation study investigates and compares the performance of the proposed test and other known adaptive procedures in terms of power and attainment of the nominal size. The performance of a suitable bootstrap procedure for the situation under consideration is also studied. In most cases under consideration, the proposed test is found to be superior to the other tests.     

Objective Bayesian Analysis of Skew‐t Distributions

Abstract. We study the Jeffreys prior and its properties for the shape parameter of univariate skew‐t distributions with linear and nonlinear Student's t skewing functions. In both cases, we show that the resulting priors for the shape parameter are symmetric around zero and proper. Moreover, we propose a Student's t approximation of the Jeffreys prior that makes an objective Bayesian analysis easy to perform. We carry out a Monte Carlo simulation study that demonstrates an overall better behaviour of the maximum a posteriori estimator compared with the maximum likelihood estimator. We also compare the frequentist coverage of the credible intervals based on the Jeffreys prior and its approximation and show that they are similar. We further discuss location‐scale models under scale mixtures of skew‐normal distributions and show some conditions for the existence of the posterior distribution and its moments. Finally, we present three numerical examples to illustrate the implications of our results on inference for skew‐t distributions.     

The Use of Posterior Predictive P-Values in Testing Goodness-of-Fit

In this article, we introduce two goodness-of-fit tests for testing normality through the concept of the posterior predictive p-value. The discrepancy variables selected are the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) and Berk-Jones (BJ) statistics and the prior chosen is Jeffreys’ prior. The constructed posterior predictive p-values are shown to be distributed independently of the unknown parameters under the null hypothesis, thus they can be taken as the test statistics. It emerges from the simulation that the new tests are more powerful than the corresponding classical tests against most of the alternatives concerned.     

Bayesian hypothesis testing for selected regression coefficients

ABSTRACT

We develop new Bayesian regression tests for prespecified regression coefficients. Simple, closed forms of the Bayes factors are derived that depend only on the regression t-statistic and F-statistic and the usual associated t and F distributions. The priors that allow those forms are simple and also meaningful, requiring minimal but practically important subjective inputs.     

A powerful and interpretable alternative to the Jarque–Bera test of normality based on 2nd-power skewness and kurtosis,using the Rao's score test on the APD family

We introduce the 2nd-power skewness and kurtosis, which are interesting alternatives to the classical Pearson's skewness and kurtosis, called 3rd-power skewness and 4th-power kurtosis in our terminology. We use the sample 2nd-power skewness and kurtosis to build a powerful test of normality. This test can also be derived as Rao's score test on the asymmetric power distribution, which combines the large range of exponential tail behavior provided by the exponential power distribution family with various levels of asymmetry. We find that our test statistic is asymptotically chi-squared distributed. We also propose a modified test statistic, for which we show numerically that the distribution can be approximated for finite sample sizes with very high precision by a chi-square. Similarly, we propose a directional test based on sample 2nd-power kurtosis only, for the situations where the true distribution is known to be symmetric. Our tests are very similar in spirit to the famous Jarque–Bera test, and as such are also locally optimal. They offer the same nice interpretation, with in addition the gold standard power of the regression and correlation tests. An extensive empirical power analysis is performed, which shows that our tests are among the most powerful normality tests. Our test is implemented in an R package called PoweR.