Objective Bayes and Conditional Frequentist Inference
Author(s)
Kuffner, Todd Alan
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Objective Bayesian methods have garnered considerable interest and support among statisticians,
particularly over the past two decades. It has often been ignored, however, that in
some cases the appropriate frequentist inference to match is a conditional one. We present
various methods for extending the probability matching prior (PMP) methods to conditional
settings. A method based on saddlepoint approximations is found to be the most
tractable and we demonstrate its use in the most common exact ancillary statistic models.
As part of this analysis, we give a proof of an exactness property of a particular PMP in
location-scale models. We use the proposed matching methods to investigate the relationships
between conditional and unconditional PMPs. A key component of our analysis is a
numerical study of the performance of probability matching priors from both a conditional
and unconditional perspective in exact ancillary models. In concluding remarks we propose
many routes for future research.
particularly over the past two decades. It has often been ignored, however, that in
some cases the appropriate frequentist inference to match is a conditional one. We present
various methods for extending the probability matching prior (PMP) methods to conditional
settings. A method based on saddlepoint approximations is found to be the most
tractable and we demonstrate its use in the most common exact ancillary statistic models.
As part of this analysis, we give a proof of an exactness property of a particular PMP in
location-scale models. We use the proposed matching methods to investigate the relationships
between conditional and unconditional PMPs. A key component of our analysis is a
numerical study of the performance of probability matching priors from both a conditional
and unconditional perspective in exact ancillary models. In concluding remarks we propose
many routes for future research.
Date Issued
2011
Date Awarded
2011-09
Copyright Statement
Attribution NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-ND)
Advisor
Young, Alastair
Sponsor
Aarhus University
Creator
Kuffner, Todd Alan
Publisher Department
Mathematics
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)