Non linearity arises in statistical inference in various ways, with varying degrees of severity, as an obstacle to statistical analysis. More entrenched forms of nonlinearity often require intensive numerical methods to construct estimators, and the use of root search algorithms, or one-step estimators, is a standard method of solution. This book provides a comprehensive study of nonlinear estimating equations and artificial likelihood's for statistical inference. It provides extensive coverage and comparison of hill climbing algorithms, which when started at points of nonconcavity often have...