An applied and concise treatment of statistical regression techniques for business students and professionals who have little or no background in calculus Regression analysis is an invaluable statistical methodology in business settings and is vital to model the relationship between a response variable and one or more predictor variables, as well as the prediction of a response value given values of the predictors. In view of the inherent uncertainty of business processes, such as the volatility of consumer spending and the presence of market uncertainty, business professionals use regression analysis to make informed decisions. Applied Regression Modeling: A Business Approach offers a practical, workable introduction to regression analysis for upper-level undergraduate business students, MBA students, and business managers, including auditors, financial analysts, retailers, economists, production managers, and professionals in manufacturing firms. The book's overall approach is strongly based on an abundant use of illustrations and graphics and uses major statistical software packages, including SPSS(r), Minitab(r), SAS(r), and R/S-PLUS(r). Detailed instructions for use of these packages, as well as for Microsoft Office Excel(r), are provided, although Excel does not have a built-in capability to carry out all the techniques discussed. Applied Regression Modeling: A Business Approach offers special user features, including: * A companion Web site with all the datasets used in the book, classroom presentation slides for instructors, additional problems and ideas for organizing class time around the material in the book, and supplementary instructions for popular statistical software packages. An Instructor's Solutions Manual is also available. * A generous selection of problems-many requiring computer work-in each chapter with fullyworked-out solutions * Two real-life dataset applications used repeatedly in examples throughout the book to familiarize the reader with these applications and the techniques they illustrate * A chapter containing two extended case studies to show the direct applicability of the material * A chapter on modeling extensions illustrating more advanced regression techniques through the use of real-life examples and covering topics not normally seen in a textbook of this nature * More than 100 figures to aid understanding of the material Applied Regression Modeling: A Business Approach fully prepares professionals and students to apply statistical methods in their decision-making, using primarily regression analysis and modeling. To help readers understand, analyze, and interpret business data and make informed decisions in uncertain settings, many of the examples and problems use real-life data with a business focus, such as production costs, sales figures, stock prices, economic indicators, and salaries. A calculus background is not required to understand and apply the methods in the book.
Provides state-of-the-art coverage for the researcher confronted with designing and executing a simulation study using continuous multivariate distributions. Concise writing style makes the book accessible to a wide audience. Well-known multivariate distributions are described, emphasizing a few representative cases from each distribution. Coverage includes Pearson Types II and VII elliptically contoured distributions, Khintchine distributions, and the unifying class for the Burr, Pareto, and logistic distributions. Extensively illustrated–the figures are unique, attractive, and reveal very nicely what distributions ``look like.'' Contains an extensive and up-to-date bibliography culled from journals in statistics, operations research, mathematics, and computer science.
Bayesian methods combine information available from data with any prior information available from expert knowledge. The Bayes linear approach follows this path, offering a quantitative structure for expressing beliefs, and systematic methods for adjusting these beliefs, given observational data. The methodology differs from the full Bayesian methodology in that it establishes simpler approaches to belief specification and analysis based around expectation judgements. Bayes Linear Statistics presents an authoritative account of this approach, explaining the foundations, theory, methodology, and practicalities of this important field. The text provides a thorough coverage of Bayes linear analysis, from the development of the basic language to the collection of algebraic results needed for efficient implementation, with detailed practical examples. The book covers: The importance of partial prior specifications for complex problems where it is difficult to supply a meaningful full prior probability specification. Simple ways to use partial prior specifications to adjust beliefs, given observations. Interpretative and diagnostic tools to display the implications of collections of belief statements, and to make stringent comparisons between expected and actual observations. General approaches to statistical modelling based upon partial exchangeability judgements. Bayes linear graphical models to represent and display partial belief specifications, organize computations, and display the results of analyses. Bayes Linear Statistics is essential reading for all statisticians concerned with the theory and practice of Bayesian methods. There is an accompanying website hosting free software and guides to the calculations within the book.
We all like to know how reliable and how risky certain situations are, and our increasing reliance on technology has led to the need for more precise assessments than ever before. Such precision has resulted in efforts both to sharpen the notions of risk and reliability, and to quantify them. Quantification is required for normative decision-making, especially decisions pertaining to our safety and wellbeing. Increasingly in recent years Bayesian methods have become key to such quantifications. Reliability and Risk provides a comprehensive overview of the mathematical and statistical aspects of risk and reliability analysis, from a Bayesian perspective. This book sets out to change the way in which we think about reliability and survival analysis by casting them in the broader context of decision-making. This is achieved by: Providing a broad coverage of the diverse aspects of reliability, including: multivariate failure models, dynamic reliability, event history analysis, non-parametric Bayes, competing risks, co-operative and competing systems, and signature analysis. Covering the essentials of Bayesian statistics and exchangeability, enabling readers who are unfamiliar with Bayesian inference to benefit from the book. Introducing the notion of “composite reliability”, or the collective reliability of a population of items. Discussing the relationship between notions of reliability and survival analysis and econometrics and financial risk. Reliability and Risk can most profitably be used by practitioners and research workers in reliability and survivability as a source of information, reference, and open problems. It can also form the basis of a graduate level course in reliability and risk analysis for students in statistics, biostatistics, engineering (industrial, nuclear, systems), operations research, and other mathematically oriented scientists, wherein the instructor could supplement the material with examples and problems.
Bayesian methods combine the evidence from the data at hand with previous quantitative knowledge to analyse practical problems in a wide range of areas. The calculations were previously complex, but it is now possible to routinely apply Bayesian methods due to advances in computing technology and the use of new sampling methods for estimating parameters. Such developments together with the availability of freeware such as WINBUGS and R have facilitated a rapid growth in the use of Bayesian methods, allowing their application in many scientific disciplines, including applied statistics, public health research, medical science, the social sciences and economics. Following the success of the first edition, this reworked and updated book provides an accessible approach to Bayesian computing and analysis, with an emphasis on the principles of prior selection, identification and the interpretation of real data sets. The second edition: Provides an integrated presentation of theory, examples, applications and computer algorithms. Discusses the role of Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods in computing and estimation. Includes a wide range of interdisciplinary applications, and a large selection of worked examples from the health and social sciences. Features a comprehensive range of methodologies and modelling techniques, and examines model fitting in practice using Bayesian principles. Provides exercises designed to help reinforce the reader’s knowledge and a supplementary website containing data sets and relevant programs. Bayesian Statistical Modelling is ideal for researchers in applied statistics, medical science, public health and the social sciences, who will benefit greatly from the examples and applications featured. The book will also appeal to graduate students of applied statistics, data analysis and Bayesian methods, and will provide a great source of reference for both researchers and students. Praise for the First Edition: “It is a remarkable achievement to have carried out such a range of analysis on such a range of data sets. I found this book comprehensive and stimulating, and was thoroughly impressed with both the depth and the range of the discussions it contains.” – ISI – Short Book Reviews “This is an excellent introductory book on Bayesian modelling techniques and data analysis” – Biometrics “The book fills an important niche in the statistical literature and should be a very valuable resource for students and professionals who are utilizing Bayesian methods.” – Journal of Mathematical Psychology
An outstanding introduction to the fundamentals of regression analysis-updated and expanded The methods of regression analysis are the most widely used statistical tools for discovering the relationships among variables. This classic text, with its emphasis on clear, thorough presentation of concepts and applications, offers a complete, easily accessible introduction to the fundamentals of regression analysis. Assuming only a basic knowledge of elementary statistics, Applied Regression Analysis, Third Edition focuses on the fitting and checking of both linear and nonlinear regression models, using small and large data sets, with pocket calculators or computers. This Third Edition features separate chapters on multicollinearity, generalized linear models, mixture ingredients, geometry of regression, robust regression, and resampling procedures. Extensive support materials include sets of carefully designed exercises with full or partial solutions and a series of true/false questions with answers. All data sets used in both the text and the exercises can be found on the companion disk at the back of the book. For analysts, researchers, and students in university, industrial, and government courses on regression, this text is an excellent introduction to the subject and an efficient means of learning how to use a valuable analytical tool. It will also prove an invaluable reference resource for applied scientists and statisticians.
A Complete Introduction to probability AND its computer Science Applications USING R Probability with R serves as a comprehensive and introductory book on probability with an emphasis on computing-related applications. Real examples show how probability can be used in practical situations, and the freely available and downloadable statistical programming language R illustrates and clarifies the book's main principles. Promoting a simulation- and experimentation-driven methodology, this book highlights the relationship between probability and computing in five distinctive parts: The R Language presents the essentials of the R language, including key procedures for summarizing and building graphical displays of statistical data. Fundamentals of Probability provides the foundations of the basic concepts of probability and moves into applications in computing. Topical coverage includes conditional probability, Bayes' theorem, system reliability, and the development of the main laws and properties of probability. Discrete Distributions addresses discrete random variables and their density and distribution functions as well as the properties of expectation. The geometric, binomial, hypergeometric, and Poisson distributions are also discussed and used to develop sampling inspection schemes. Continuous Distributions introduces continuous variables by examining the waiting time between Poisson occurrences. The exponential distribution and its applications to reliability are investigated, and the Markov property is illustrated via simulation in R. The normal distribution is examined and applied to statistical process control. Tailing Off delves into the use of Markov and Chebyshev inequalities as tools for estimating tail probabilities with limited information on the random variable. Numerous exercises and projects are provided in each chapter, many of which require the use of R to perform routine calculations and conduct experiments with simulated data. The author directs readers to the appropriate Web-based resources for installing the R software package and also supplies the essential commands for working in the R workspace. A related Web site features an active appendix as well as a forum for readers to share findings, thoughts, and ideas. With its accessible and hands-on approach, Probability with R is an ideal book for a first course in probability at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels for readers with a background in computer science, engineering, and the general sciences. It also serves as a valuable reference for computing professionals who would like to further understand the relevance of probability in their areas of practice.
An up-to-date approach to understanding statistical inference Statistical inference is finding useful applications in numerous fields, from sociology and econometrics to biostatistics. This volume enables professionals in these and related fields to master the concepts of statistical inference under inequality constraints and to apply the theory to problems in a variety of areas. Constrained Statistical Inference: Order, Inequality, and Shape Constraints provides a unified and up-to-date treatment of the methodology. It clearly illustrates concepts with practical examples from a variety of fields, focusing on sociology, econometrics, and biostatistics. The authors also discuss a broad range of other inequality-constrained inference problems that do not fit well in the contemplated unified framework, providing a meaningful way for readers to comprehend methodological resolutions. Chapter coverage includes: Population means and isotonic regression Inequality-constrained tests on normal means Tests in general parametric models Likelihood and alternatives Analysis of categorical data Inference on monotone density function, unimodal density function, shape constraints, and DMRL functions Bayesian perspectives, including Stein’s Paradox, shrinkage estimation, and decision theory
Sequential Stochastic Optimization provides mathematicians and applied researchers with a well-developed framework in which stochastic optimization problems can be formulated and solved. Offering much material that is either new or has never before appeared in book form, it lucidly presents a unified theory of optimal stopping and optimal sequential control of stochastic processes. This book has been carefully organized so that little prior knowledge of the subject is assumed; its only prerequisites are a standard graduate course in probability theory and some familiarity with discrete-parameter martingales. Major topics covered in Sequential Stochastic Optimization include: * Fundamental notions, such as essential supremum, stopping points, accessibility, martingales and supermartingales indexed by INd * Conditions which ensure the integrability of certain suprema of partial sums of arrays of independent random variables * The general theory of optimal stopping for processes indexed by Ind * Structural properties of information flows * Sequential sampling and the theory of optimal sequential control * Multi-armed bandits, Markov chains and optimal switching between random walks
An incomparably useful examination of statistical methods for comparison The nature of doing science, be it natural or social, inevitably calls for comparison. Statistical methods are at the heart of such comparison, for they not only help us gain understanding of the world around us but often define how our research is to be carried out. The need to compare between groups is best exemplified by experiments, which have clearly defined statistical methods. However, true experiments are not always possible. What complicates the matter more is a great deal of diversity in factors that are not independent of the outcome. Statistical Group Comparison brings together a broad range of statistical methods for comparison developed over recent years. The book covers a wide spectrum of topics from the simplest comparison of two means or rates to more recently developed statistics including double generalized linear models and Bayesian as well as hierarchical methods. Coverage includes: * Testing parameter equality in linear regression and other generalized linear models (GLMs), in order of increasing complexity * Likelihood ratio, Wald, and Lagrange multiplier statistics examined where applicable * Group comparisons involving latent variables in structural equation modeling * Models of comparison for categorical latent variables Examples are drawn from the social, political, economic, and biomedical sciences; many can be implemented using widely available software. Because of the range and the generality of the statistical methods covered, researchers across many disciplines-beyond the social, political, economic, and biomedical sciences-will find the book a convenient reference for many a research situation where comparisons may come naturally.