Comment on hoerl and kennard's ridge regression simulation methodology

Ridge regression has received strong support in several Monte carlo studies, leading some authors to advocate its general use. It is argued, however, that these studies were strongly biased in favor of ridge regression by simulating regression coefficient vectors centered at the origin; a condition well suited for a shrinkage technique. Studies which modeled some non-zero regression coefficients and which showed only qualified support for ridge regression are cited in support of this argument. It is concluded that only to the extent that ridge regression type coefficient vectors actually underlie real data sets -a poorly understood phenomenon - will ridge regression be of use.