Asymptotic properties of a generalized regression-type predictor of a finite population variance in probability sampling

A system of predictors for estimating a finite population variance is defined and shown to be asymptotically design-unbiased (ADU) and asymptotically design-consistent (ADC) under probability sampling. An asymptotic mean squared error (MSE) of a generalized regression-type predictor, generated from the system, is obtained. The suggested predictor attains the minimum expected variance of any design-unbiased estimator when the superpopulation model is correct. The generalized regression-type predictor and the predictor suggested by Mukhopadhyay (1990) are compared.     

Modified Wald statistics for generalized linear models

Summary: Wald statistics in generalized linear models are asymptotically ² distributed. The asymptotic chi–squared law of the corresponding quadratic form shows disadvantages with respect to the approximation of the finite–sample distribution. It is shown by means of a comprehensive simulation study that improvements can be achieved by applying simple finite–sample size approximations to the distribution of the quadratic form in generalized linear models. These approximations are based on a ² distribution with an estimated degree of freedom that generalizes an approach by Patnaik and Pearson. Simulation studies confirm that nominal level is maintained with higher accuracy compared to the Wald statistics.     

Optimal use of two auxiliary variables in double sampling

Double sampling scheme is used when cheap auxiliary variables may be measured to improve the estimation of a finite population parameter. Several estimators for population mean, ratio of means and variance are available, when two dependent samples are drawn. However, there are few proposals for the case of independent samples. In this paper both cases of dependent and independent samples are dealt with. A general approach for estimating a finite population parameter is given, showing that all the proposed estimators are particular cases of the same general class. The minimum variance bound for any estimator in this class is provided (at the first order of approximation). Furthermore, an optimal estimator which reaches this minimum is found.     

Regression Analysis of Restricted Mean Survival Time Based on Pseudo-Observations

Regression models for survival data are often specified from the hazard function while classical regression analysis of quantitative outcomes focuses on the mean value (possibly after suitable transformations). Methods for regression analysis of mean survival time and the related quantity, the restricted mean survival time, are reviewed and compared to a method based on pseudo-observations. Both Monte Carlo simulations and two real data sets are studied. It is concluded that while existing methods may be superior for analysis of the mean, pseudo-observations seem well suited when the restricted mean is studied.     

Information preserving statistical obfuscation

The problem of limiting the disclosure of information gathered on a set of companies or individuals (the respondents) is considered, the aim being to provide useful information while preserving confidentiality of sensitive information. The paper proposes a method which explicitly preserves certain information contained in the data. The data are assumed to consist of two sets of information on each respondent: public data and specific survey data. It is assumed in this paper that both sets of data are liable to be released for a subset of respondents. However, the public data will be altered in some way to preserve confidentiality whereas the specific survey data is to be disclosed without alteration. The paper proposes a model based approach to this problem by utilizing the information contained in the sufficient statistics obtained from fitting a model to the public data by conditioning on the survey data. Deterministic and stochastic variants of the method are considered.     

On shrinkage least squares estimation in a parallelism problem

In a multi-sample simple regression model, generally, homogeneity of the regression slopes leads to improved estimation of the intercepts. Analogous to the preliminary test estimators, (smooth) shrinkage least squares estimators of Intercepts based on the James-Stein rule on regression slopes are considered. Relative pictures on the (asymptotic) risk of the classical, preliminary test and the shrinkage least squares estimators are also presented. None of the preliminary test and shrinkage least squares estimators may dominate over the other, though each of them fares well relative to the other estimators.     

Two Moments of the Logitnormal Distribution

We display the first two moment functions of the Logitnormal(μ, σ²) family of distributions, conveniently described in terms of the Normal mean, μ, and the Normal signal-to-noise ratio, μ/σ, parameters that generate the family. Long neglected on account of the numerical integrations required to compute them, awareness of these moment functions should aid the sensible interpretation of logistic regression statistics and the specification of “diffuse” prior distributions in hierarchical models, which can be deceiving. We also use numerical integration to compare the correlation between bivariate Logitnormal variables with the correlation between the bivariate Normal variables from which they are transformed.     

A boundary kernel for local polynomial regression

We define and compute a boundary kernel for local polynomial regression, We prove that the new kernel provides improvement over the existing kernels, Simulations show the improvement in finite samples.     

Admissible minimum bias estimation of response surfaces

The minimum bias estimator was introduced as an alternative to the least squares estimator for approximating response functions by low-order polynomials. Here we show how to obtain an admissible estimator with smaller squared bias.     

Regression Analysis of Left-truncated and Case I Interval-censored Data with the Additive Hazards Model

In recent years the analysis of interval-censored failure time data has attracted a great deal of attention and such data arise in many fields including demographical studies, economic and financial studies, epidemiological studies, social sciences, and tumorigenicity experiments. This is especially the case in medical studies such as clinical trials. In this article, we discuss regression analysis of one type of such data, Case I interval-censored data, in the presence of left-truncation. For the problem, the additive hazards model is employed and the maximum likelihood method is applied for estimations of unknown parameters. In particular, we adopt the sieve estimation approach that approximates the baseline cumulative hazard function by linear functions. The resulting estimates of regression parameters are shown to be consistent and efficient and have an asymptotic normal distribution. An illustrative example is provided.