Many problems in statistics and econometrics offer themselves naturally to the use of optimization heuristics. Standard methods applied to highly complex problems often produce approximate results, of unknown quality, based on heavy assumptions. Optimization heuristic methods provide powerful results to many complex problems, combined with relatively simple implementation. The techniques used in optimization heurisitics can be applied to problems encountered in econometrics, statistics and operations research.
* Offers a self-contained introduction to optimization heuristics in...

An overview of the survey method of statistical analysis, which explores three main areas of nonsampling survey error: non-response in obtaining data from sample members, problems with the sampling frame and inadequacies in the process of obtaining survey measures from respondents.

Inference infinite sampling is a new development that is essential for the field of sampling. In addition to covering the majority of well known sampling plans and procedures, this study covers the important topics of superpopulation approach, randomized response, non-response and resampling techniques. The authors also provide extensive sets of problems ranging in difficulty, making this book beneficial to students.

This broadly based graduate-level textbook covers the major models and statistical tools currently used in the practice of econometrics. It examines the classical, the decision theory, and the Bayesian approaches, and contains material on single equation and simultaneous equation econometric models. Includes an extensive reference list for each topic.

Graphical models--a subset of log-linear models--reveal the interrelationships between multiple variables and features of the underlying conditional independence. Following the theorem-proof-remarks format, this introduction to the use of graphical models in the description and modeling of multivariate systems covers conditional independence, several types of independence graphs, Gaussian models, issues in model selection, regression and decomposition. Many numerical examples and exercises with solutions are included.

Based on the proceedings of a conference on Influence Diagrams for Decision Analysis, Inference and Prediction held at the University of California at Berkeley in May of 1988, this is the first book devoted to the subject. The editors have brought together recent results from researchers actively investigating influence diagrams and also from practitioners who have used influence diagrams in developing models for problem-solving in a wide range of fields.

Bayesian Theory is the first volume of a related series of three and will be followed by Bayesian Computation, and Bayesian Methods. The series aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the why?, how? and what? of Bayesian statistics. This volume provides a thorough account of key basic concepts and theoretical results, with particular emphasis on viewing statistical inference as a special case of decision theory. Information-theoretic concepts play a central role in the development, which provides, in particular, a detailed treatment of the problem of specification of so-called "prior...

From its initial publication this book has been the standard text on the subject. Since then there has been a continuing high level of activity, and work has developed in all major areas. This third edition reflects the latest state of knowledge with fully revised and extended coverage of all topics.

There has been an increasing interest in the statistical analysis of geometric objects and structures in many branches of science and engineering in recent years. The aim of this book is to present these statistical methods for practical use by non-mathematicians by outlining the mathematical ideas rather than concentrating on detailed proofs. The clarity of exposition ensures that the book will be a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in many scientific disciplines who wish to use these methods in their work. In particular, the book is suited to materials scientists,...

Change-point problems arise in a variety of experimental and mathematical sciences, as well as in engineering and health sciences. This rigorously researched text provides a comprehensive review of recent probabilistic methods for detecting various types of possible changes in the distribution of chronologically ordered observations. Further developing the already well-established theory of weighted approximations and weak convergence, the authors provide a thorough survey of parametric and non-parametric methods, regression and time series models together with sequential methods. All but the...