Generalized Linear Models and Point Count Data: Statistical Considerations for the Design and Analysis of Monitoring Studies

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Generalized Linear Models and Point Count Data: Statistical Considerations for the Design and Analysis of Monitoring Studies Generalized Linear Models and Point Count Data: Statistical Considerations for the Design and Analysis of Monitoring Studies Nathaniel E. Seavy,1,2,3 Suhel Quader,1,4 John D. Alexander,2 and C. John Ralph5 ________________________________________ Abstract The success of avian monitoring programs to effec- Key words: Generalized linear models, juniper remov- tively guide management decisions requires that stud- al, monitoring, overdispersion, point count, Poisson. ies be efficiently designed and data be properly ana- lyzed. A complicating factor is that point count surveys often generate data with non-normal distributional pro- perties. In this paper we review methods of dealing with deviations from normal assumptions, and we Introduction focus on the application of generalized linear models (GLMs). We also discuss problems associated with Measuring changes in bird abundance over time and in overdispersion (more variation than expected). In order response to habitat management is widely recognized to evaluate the statistical power of these models to as an important aspect of ecological monitoring detect differences in bird abundance, it is necessary for (Greenwood et al. 1993). The use of long-term avian biologists to identify the effect size they believe is monitoring programs (e.g., the Breeding Bird Survey) biologically significant in their system. We illustrate to identify population trends is a powerful tool for bird one solution to this challenge by discussing the design conservation (Sauer and Droege 1990, Sauer and Link of a monitoring program intended to detect changes in 2002). Short-term studies comparing bird abundance in bird abundance as a result of Western juniper (Juniper- treated and untreated areas are also important because us occidentalis) reduction projects in central Oregon. they can identify changes in bird responses to specific We estimate biologically significant effect sizes by management actions (Nichols 1999). However, the using GLMs to describe variation in bird abundance ability of avian monitoring programs to effectively relative to natural variation in juniper cover. These guide management decisions requires that studies be analyses suggest that for species typically positively designed to detect differences that are biologically associated with juniper cover, a 60-80 percent decrease meaningful. in abundance may be expected as a result of juniper reduction projects. With these estimates of expected The statistical ability to detect differences in abundance effect size and preliminary data on bird abundance, we between two treatments (e.g., habitats or management use computer simulations to investigate the power of practices) is described by statistical power. To evaluate GLMs. Our simulations demonstrate that when data are power one must answer two questions. (1) What statis- not overdispersed and sample sizes are relatively large, tical models are appropriate for the distributional pro- the statistical power of GLMs is approximated well by perties of the data? Probably the most widely used formulas that are currently available in the bird litera- method for monitoring bird abundance is point count ture for other statistical techniques. When data are surveys (Ralph et al. 1995). However, the properties of overdispersed, as may be the case with most point data produced from point counts may violate assump- count data, power is reduced. tions of commonly used statistical techniques. Count data often show non-normal distributions, especially when abundances are low and there are many zeros in the data. One approach to analyzing these data is to use ________________________________ generalized linear models. With such models, one may 1 specify non-normal distributions and results can be Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL interpreted in a manner similar to the familiar analysis 32611-8525 2Klamath Bird Observatory, Box 758, Ashland, OR 97520 of variance framework. (2) What is a biologically 3Corresponding author: e-mail: [email protected] meaningful effect size? That is, what difference in 4Present address: Department of Zoology, University of Cam- abundance can be considered biologically, not just sta- bridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom tistically, significant? Once these two questions have 5 USDA Forest Service, Redwood Sciences Laboratory, Pacific been answered, power analyses can be carried out to Southwest Research Station, 1700, Bayview Drive, Arcata, CA identify the appropriate sampling effort needed for a 95521 rigorous study design (Nur et al. 1999, Foster 2001). USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191. 2005 744 Generalized Linear Models and Point Counts - Seavy et al. In this paper we discuss some properties of count data An alternative to nonparametric statistics or data trans- with an emphasis on how they can be analyzed with formations is the use of statistical techniques in which generalized linear models. We then use these models to non-normal distributions can be specified. Generalized analyze point count data from central Oregon and linear models (GLMs) are a flexible and widely used evaluate variation in bird abundance as a function of class of such models that can accommodate continu- natural variation in Western juniper (Juniperus occi- ous, count, proportion, and presence/absence response dentalis) cover. We use the results to define a biologi- variables (McCullagh and Nelder 1989, Agresti 1996, cally significant effect of juniper removal and conduct Crawley 1997, Dobson 2002). Many statistical pack- computer simulations to investigate the power of ages (e.g., SAS, SPSS) implement these models for generalized linear models to detect changes in bird logistic, Poisson, and negative binomial regression. abundance resulting from reduction of juniper cover. Although the application of GLMs to point count data Our objective is to illustrate how the design of moni- is not new (Link and Sauer 1998, Brand and George toring projects based on point count data can be 2001, Robinson et al. 2001), we review these models improved by the definition of a priori effect sizes, the here to provide the context for our estimates of effect application of generalized linear models, and attention size and power. to the distributional properties of the data. Generalized Linear Models Distributional Properties of Count Data The models with which biologists are most familiar are The fixed-radius point count method of measuring bird linear models of the form abundance generates count data (i.e., the number of birds at a station). The distribution of such data is y = b0 + b1x1 ... + bjxj + e bounded by zero because one cannot detect a negative number of birds. If stations are visited once, the num- where the first part of the right-hand side of the ber of individuals detected per station will always be equation (b0 + b1x1 ... + bjxj) specifies the expected either zero or a positive integer. When bird abundances value of y given x1...xj. This is called the 'mean' or 'systematic' part of the equation and contains a linear are low, the frequency distribution of detections is likely to be highly non-normal (right-skewed, with a combination of x variables. The random component of majority of observations at or near zero). If this is the the model (denoted by e), describes the deviation of the observed y values from the expected, and is assumed to case, then the use of statistical tests that assume normal distributions (e.g., t-tests, least-squares regressions) be drawn from a normal distribution with constant may be inappropriate. Perhaps the simplest approach to variance. Generalized linear models (GLMs) extend simple linear models by allowing transformations to comparing patterns of abundance measured by point counts is to use tests that are more flexible about the linearity in the mean part of the model, as well as non- distributional properties of the data. Such approaches normal random components (Agresti 1996). If mu is the expected value of y, then we can model not mu include non-parametric tests (Sokal and Rohlf 1995, Zar 1999) or resampling tests that use permutations of itself, but some function f(mu) of the expected value the data to make statistical inferences (Manly 1991, f(mu) = b + b x ... + b x Crowley 1992). 0 1 1 j j The function f(mu) is called the link function. For the Another approach is to transform the data such that simple linear model above, the link function is f(mu) = they meet assumptions of statistical methods based on mu. An alternative for loglinear models is to use a log the normal distribution. Such transformations must link function, f(mu) = log(mu). Our model now fulfill two objectives: they must standardize the shape becomes of the distribution to the normal curve and decouple any relationship between the mean and variance. Often, log(mu) = b0 + b1x1 ... + bjxj square-root or log transformations are suggested for Poisson distributed count data, in which the variance What about the random component of such a model? increases with the mean (Sokal and Rohlf 1995, For count data, the random component is often likely to Kleinbaum et al. 1998, Zar 1999). When counts contain follow a Poisson distribution (Zar 1999), a distribution zeros, a constant must be added prior to log transform- of integers between zero and infinity. The best-fit ation, and is often suggested for square root transform- model is found by maximum likelihood techniques ation. Values of 0.5 or 3/8 for this constant are sug- rather than minimizing the sums-of-squares. For a gested (Sokal and Rohlf 1995, Zar 1999), but should be GLM with Poisson error, the usual link function is used with the recognition that the choice of constants may have implications for statistical estimation (Thomas and Martin 1996). USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191. 2005 745 Generalized Linear Models and Point Counts - Seavy et al. log(mu) as above. Note that when the parameter esti- evidence of a true difference, it does not imply that the mates b0 ... bj are used to calculate a predicted value for treatments are the same (Johnson 1999).
Recommended publications
  • An Introduction to Poisson Regression Russ Lavery, K&L Consulting Services, King of Prussia, PA, U.S.A
    NESUG 2010 Statistics and Analysis An Animated Guide: An Introduction To Poisson Regression Russ Lavery, K&L Consulting Services, King of Prussia, PA, U.S.A. ABSTRACT: This paper will be a brief introduction to Poisson regression (theory, steps to be followed, complications and interpretation) via a worked example. It is hoped that this will increase motivation towards learning this useful statistical technique. INTRODUCTION: Poisson regression is available in SAS through the GENMOD procedure (generalized modeling). It is appropriate when: 1) the process that generates the conditional Y distributions would, theoretically, be expected to be a Poisson random process and 2) when there is no evidence of overdispersion and 3) when the mean of the marginal distribution is less than ten (preferably less than five and ideally close to one). THE POISSON DISTRIBUTION: The Poison distribution is a discrete Percent of observations where the random variable X is expected distribution and is appropriate for to have the value x, given that the Poisson distribution has a mean modeling counts of observations. of λ= P(X=x, λ ) = (e - λ * λ X) / X! Counts are observed cases, like the 0.4 count of measles cases in cities. You λ can simply model counts if all data 0.35 were collected in the same measuring 0.3 unit (e.g. the same number of days or 0.3 0.5 0.8 same number of square feet). 0.25 λ 1 0.2 3 You can use the Poisson Distribution = 5 for modeling rates (rates are counts 0.15 20 per unit) if the units of collection were 8 different.
    [Show full text]
  • Generalized Linear Models (Glms)
    San Jos´eState University Math 261A: Regression Theory & Methods Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) Dr. Guangliang Chen This lecture is based on the following textbook sections: • Chapter 13: 13.1 – 13.3 Outline of this presentation: • What is a GLM? • Logistic regression • Poisson regression Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) What is a GLM? In ordinary linear regression, we assume that the response is a linear function of the regressors plus Gaussian noise: 0 2 y = β0 + β1x1 + ··· + βkxk + ∼ N(x β, σ ) | {z } |{z} linear form x0β N(0,σ2) noise The model can be reformulate in terms of • distribution of the response: y | x ∼ N(µ, σ2), and • dependence of the mean on the predictors: µ = E(y | x) = x0β Dr. Guangliang Chen | Mathematics & Statistics, San Jos´e State University3/24 Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) beta=(1,2) 5 4 3 β0 + β1x b y 2 y 1 0 −1 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 x x Dr. Guangliang Chen | Mathematics & Statistics, San Jos´e State University4/24 Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) Generalized linear models (GLM) extend linear regression by allowing the response variable to have • a general distribution (with mean µ = E(y | x)) and • a mean that depends on the predictors through a link function g: That is, g(µ) = β0x or equivalently, µ = g−1(β0x) Dr. Guangliang Chen | Mathematics & Statistics, San Jos´e State University5/24 Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) In GLM, the response is typically assumed to have a distribution in the exponential family, which is a large class of probability distributions that have pdfs of the form f(x | θ) = a(x)b(θ) exp(c(θ) · T (x)), including • Normal - ordinary linear regression • Bernoulli - Logistic regression, modeling binary data • Binomial - Multinomial logistic regression, modeling general cate- gorical data • Poisson - Poisson regression, modeling count data • Exponential, Gamma - survival analysis Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Generalized Linear Models with Poisson Family: Applications in Ecology
    UNIVERSITY OF ABOMEY- CALAVI *********** FACULTY OF AGRONOMIC SCIENCES *************** **************** Master Program in Statistics, Major Biostatistics 1st batch Generalized linear models with Poisson family: applications in ecology A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of the Master of Sciences in Biostatistics Presented by: LOKONON Enagnon Bruno Supervisor: Pr Romain L. GLELE KAKAÏ, Professor of Biostatistics and Forest estimation Academic year: 2014-2015 UNIVERSITE D’ABOMEY- CALAVI *********** FACULTE DES SCIENCES AGRONOMIQUES *************** ************** Programme de Master en Biostatistiques 1ère Promotion Modèles linéaires généralisés de la famille de Poisson : applications en écologie Mémoire soumis à la Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques pour obtenir le Diplôme de Master recherche en Biostatistiques Présenté par: LOKONON Enagnon Bruno Superviseur: Pr Romain L. GLELE KAKAÏ, Professeur titulaire de Biostatistiques et estimation forestière Année académique: 2014-2015 Certification I certify that this work has been achieved by LOKONON E. Bruno under my entire supervision at the University of Abomey-Calavi (Benin) in order to obtain his Master of Science degree in Biostatistics. Pr Romain L. GLELE KAKAÏ Professor of Biostatistics and Forest estimation i Acknowledgements This research was supported by WAAPP/PPAAO-BENIN (West African Agricultural Productivity Program/ Programme de Productivité Agricole en Afrique de l‟Ouest). This dissertation could only have been possible through the generous contributions of many people. First and foremost, I am grateful to my supervisor Pr Romain L. GLELE KAKAÏ, Professor of Biostatistics and Forest estimation who tirelessly played key role in orientation, scientific writing and mentoring during this research. In particular, I thank him for his prompt availability whenever needed.
    [Show full text]
  • Overdispersion, and How to Deal with It in R and JAGS (Requires R-Packages AER, Coda, Lme4, R2jags, Dharma/Devtools) Carsten F
    Overdispersion, and how to deal with it in R and JAGS (requires R-packages AER, coda, lme4, R2jags, DHARMa/devtools) Carsten F. Dormann 07 December, 2016 Contents 1 Introduction: what is overdispersion? 1 2 Recognising (and testing for) overdispersion 1 3 “Fixing” overdispersion 5 3.1 Quasi-families . .5 3.2 Different distribution (here: negative binomial) . .6 3.3 Observation-level random effects (OLRE) . .8 4 Overdispersion in JAGS 12 1 Introduction: what is overdispersion? Overdispersion describes the observation that variation is higher than would be expected. Some distributions do not have a parameter to fit variability of the observation. For example, the normal distribution does that through the parameter σ (i.e. the standard deviation of the model), which is constant in a typical regression. In contrast, the Poisson distribution has no such parameter, and in fact the variance increases with the mean (i.e. the variance and the mean have the same value). In this latter case, for an expected value of E(y) = 5, we also expect that the variance of observed data points is 5. But what if it is not? What if the observed variance is much higher, i.e. if the data are overdispersed? (Note that it could also be lower, underdispersed. This is less often the case, and not all approaches below allow for modelling underdispersion, but some do.) Overdispersion arises in different ways, most commonly through “clumping”. Imagine the number of seedlings in a forest plot. Depending on the distance to the source tree, there may be many (hundreds) or none. The same goes for shooting stars: either the sky is empty, or littered with shooting stars.
    [Show full text]
  • Poisson Versus Negative Binomial Regression
    Handling Count Data The Negative Binomial Distribution Other Applications and Analysis in R References Poisson versus Negative Binomial Regression Randall Reese Utah State University [email protected] February 29, 2016 Randall Reese Poisson and Neg. Binom Handling Count Data The Negative Binomial Distribution Other Applications and Analysis in R References Overview 1 Handling Count Data ADEM Overdispersion 2 The Negative Binomial Distribution Foundations of Negative Binomial Distribution Basic Properties of the Negative Binomial Distribution Fitting the Negative Binomial Model 3 Other Applications and Analysis in R 4 References Randall Reese Poisson and Neg. Binom Handling Count Data The Negative Binomial Distribution ADEM Other Applications and Analysis in R Overdispersion References Count Data Randall Reese Poisson and Neg. Binom Handling Count Data The Negative Binomial Distribution ADEM Other Applications and Analysis in R Overdispersion References Count Data Data whose values come from Z≥0, the non-negative integers. Classic example is deaths in the Prussian army per year by horse kick (Bortkiewicz) Example 2 of Notes 5. (Number of successful \attempts"). Randall Reese Poisson and Neg. Binom Handling Count Data The Negative Binomial Distribution ADEM Other Applications and Analysis in R Overdispersion References Poisson Distribution Support is the non-negative integers. (Count data). Described by a single parameter λ > 0. When Y ∼ Poisson(λ), then E(Y ) = Var(Y ) = λ Randall Reese Poisson and Neg. Binom Handling Count Data The Negative Binomial Distribution ADEM Other Applications and Analysis in R Overdispersion References Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a neurological, immune disorder in which widespread inflammation of the brain and spinal cord damages tissue known as white matter.
    [Show full text]
  • Negative Binomial Regression
    STATISTICS COLUMN Negative Binomial Regression Shengping Yang PhD ,Gilbert Berdine MD In the hospital stay study discussed recently, it was mentioned that “in case overdispersion exists, Poisson regression model might not be appropriate.” I would like to know more about the appropriate modeling method in that case. Although Poisson regression modeling is wide- regression is commonly recommended. ly used in count data analysis, it does have a limita- tion, i.e., it assumes that the conditional distribution The Poisson distribution can be considered to of the outcome variable is Poisson, which requires be a special case of the negative binomial distribution. that the mean and variance be equal. The data are The negative binomial considers the results of a se- said to be overdispersed when the variance exceeds ries of trials that can be considered either a success the mean. Overdispersion is expected for contagious or failure. A parameter ψ is introduced to indicate the events where the first occurrence makes a second number of failures that stops the count. The negative occurrence more likely, though still random. Poisson binomial distribution is the discrete probability func- regression of overdispersed data leads to a deflated tion that there will be a given number of successes standard error and inflated test statistics. Overdisper- before ψ failures. The negative binomial distribution sion may also result when the success outcome is will converge to a Poisson distribution for large ψ. not rare. To handle such a situation, negative binomial 0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20 25 Figure 1. Comparison of Poisson and negative binomial distributions.
    [Show full text]
  • Heteroscedastic Errors
    Heteroscedastic Errors ◮ Sometimes plots and/or tests show that the error variances 2 σi = Var(ǫi ) depend on i ◮ Several standard approaches to fixing the problem, depending on the nature of the dependence. ◮ Weighted Least Squares. ◮ Transformation of the response. ◮ Generalized Linear Models. Richard Lockhart STAT 350: Heteroscedastic Errors and GLIM Weighted Least Squares ◮ Suppose variances are known except for a constant factor. 2 2 ◮ That is, σi = σ /wi . ◮ Use weighted least squares. (See Chapter 10 in the text.) ◮ This usually arises realistically in the following situations: ◮ Yi is an average of ni measurements where you know ni . Then wi = ni . 2 ◮ Plots suggest that σi might be proportional to some power of 2 γ γ some covariate: σi = kxi . Then wi = xi− . Richard Lockhart STAT 350: Heteroscedastic Errors and GLIM Variances depending on (mean of) Y ◮ Two standard approaches are available: ◮ Older approach is transformation. ◮ Newer approach is use of generalized linear model; see STAT 402. Richard Lockhart STAT 350: Heteroscedastic Errors and GLIM Transformation ◮ Compute Yi∗ = g(Yi ) for some function g like logarithm or square root. ◮ Then regress Yi∗ on the covariates. ◮ This approach sometimes works for skewed response variables like income; ◮ after transformation we occasionally find the errors are more nearly normal, more homoscedastic and that the model is simpler. ◮ See page 130ff and check under transformations and Box-Cox in the index. Richard Lockhart STAT 350: Heteroscedastic Errors and GLIM Generalized Linear Models ◮ Transformation uses the model T E(g(Yi )) = xi β while generalized linear models use T g(E(Yi )) = xi β ◮ Generally latter approach offers more flexibility.
    [Show full text]
  • Statistical Approaches for Highly Skewed Data 1
    Running head: STATISTICAL APPROACHES FOR HIGHLY SKEWED DATA 1 (in press) Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Statistical Approaches for Highly Skewed Data: Evaluating Relations between Child Maltreatment and Young Adults’ Non-Suicidal Self-injury Ana Gonzalez-Blanks, PhD Jessie M. Bridgewater, MA *Tuppett M. Yates, PhD Department of Psychology University of California, Riverside Acknowledgments: We gratefully acknowledge Dr. Chandra Reynolds who provided generous instruction and consultation throughout the execution of the analyses reported herein. *Please address correspondence to: Tuppett M. Yates, Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside CA, 92521. Email: [email protected]. STATISTICAL APPROACHES FOR HIGHLY SKEWED DATA 2 Abstract Objective: Clinical phenomena often feature skewed distributions with an overabundance of zeros. Unfortunately, empirical methods for dealing with this violation of distributional assumptions underlying regression are typically discussed in statistical journals with limited translation to applied researchers. Therefore, this investigation compared statistical approaches for addressing highly skewed data as applied to the evaluation of relations between child maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Method: College students (N = 2,651; 64.2% female; 85.2% non-White) completed the Child Abuse and Trauma Scale and the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation. Statistical models were applied to cross-sectional data to provide illustrative comparisons across predictions to a) raw, highly skewed NSSI outcomes, b) natural log, square-root, and inverse NSSI transformations to reduce skew, c) zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) and negative-binomial zero- inflated (NBZI) regression models to account for both disproportionate zeros and skewness in the NSSI data, and d) the skew-t distribution to model NSSI skewness.
    [Show full text]
  • Negative Binomial Regression Models and Estimation Methods
    Appendix D: Negative Binomial Regression Models and Estimation Methods By Dominique Lord Texas A&M University Byung-Jung Park Korea Transport Institute This appendix presents the characteristics of Negative Binomial regression models and discusses their estimating methods. Probability Density and Likelihood Functions The properties of the negative binomial models with and without spatial intersection are described in the next two sections. Poisson-Gamma Model The Poisson-Gamma model has properties that are very similar to the Poisson model discussed in Appendix C, in which the dependent variable yi is modeled as a Poisson variable with a mean i where the model error is assumed to follow a Gamma distribution. As it names implies, the Poisson-Gamma is a mixture of two distributions and was first derived by Greenwood and Yule (1920). This mixture distribution was developed to account for over-dispersion that is commonly observed in discrete or count data (Lord et al., 2005). It became very popular because the conjugate distribution (same family of functions) has a closed form and leads to the negative binomial distribution. As discussed by Cook (2009), “the name of this distribution comes from applying the binomial theorem with a negative exponent.” There are two major parameterizations that have been proposed and they are known as the NB1 and NB2, the latter one being the most commonly known and utilized. NB2 is therefore described first. Other parameterizations exist, but are not discussed here (see Maher and Summersgill, 1996; Hilbe, 2007). NB2 Model Suppose that we have a series of random counts that follows the Poisson distribution: i e i gyii; (D-1) yi ! where yi is the observed number of counts for i 1, 2, n ; and i is the mean of the Poisson distribution.
    [Show full text]
  • Generalized Linear Models
    CHAPTER 6 Generalized linear models 6.1 Introduction Generalized linear modeling is a framework for statistical analysis that includes linear and logistic regression as special cases. Linear regression directly predicts continuous data y from a linear predictor Xβ = β0 + X1β1 + + Xkβk.Logistic regression predicts Pr(y =1)forbinarydatafromalinearpredictorwithaninverse-··· logit transformation. A generalized linear model involves: 1. A data vector y =(y1,...,yn) 2. Predictors X and coefficients β,formingalinearpredictorXβ 1 3. A link function g,yieldingavectoroftransformeddataˆy = g− (Xβ)thatare used to model the data 4. A data distribution, p(y yˆ) | 5. Possibly other parameters, such as variances, overdispersions, and cutpoints, involved in the predictors, link function, and data distribution. The options in a generalized linear model are the transformation g and the data distribution p. In linear regression,thetransformationistheidentity(thatis,g(u) u)and • the data distribution is normal, with standard deviation σ estimated from≡ data. 1 1 In logistic regression,thetransformationistheinverse-logit,g− (u)=logit− (u) • (see Figure 5.2a on page 80) and the data distribution is defined by the proba- bility for binary data: Pr(y =1)=y ˆ. This chapter discusses several other classes of generalized linear model, which we list here for convenience: The Poisson model (Section 6.2) is used for count data; that is, where each • data point yi can equal 0, 1, 2, ....Theusualtransformationg used here is the logarithmic, so that g(u)=exp(u)transformsacontinuouslinearpredictorXiβ to a positivey ˆi.ThedatadistributionisPoisson. It is usually a good idea to add a parameter to this model to capture overdis- persion,thatis,variationinthedatabeyondwhatwouldbepredictedfromthe Poisson distribution alone.
    [Show full text]
  • “Multivariate Count Data Generalized Linear Models: Three Approaches Based on the Sarmanov Distribution”
    Institut de Recerca en Economia Aplicada Regional i Pública Document de Treball 2017/18 1/25 pág. Research Institute of Applied Economics Working Paper 2017/18 1/25 pág. “Multivariate count data generalized linear models: Three approaches based on the Sarmanov distribution” Catalina Bolancé & Raluca Vernic 4 WEBSITE: www.ub.edu/irea/ • CONTACT: [email protected] The Research Institute of Applied Economics (IREA) in Barcelona was founded in 2005, as a research institute in applied economics. Three consolidated research groups make up the institute: AQR, RISK and GiM, and a large number of members are involved in the Institute. IREA focuses on four priority lines of investigation: (i) the quantitative study of regional and urban economic activity and analysis of regional and local economic policies, (ii) study of public economic activity in markets, particularly in the fields of empirical evaluation of privatization, the regulation and competition in the markets of public services using state of industrial economy, (iii) risk analysis in finance and insurance, and (iv) the development of micro and macro econometrics applied for the analysis of economic activity, particularly for quantitative evaluation of public policies. IREA Working Papers often represent preliminary work and are circulated to encourage discussion. Citation of such a paper should account for its provisional character. For that reason, IREA Working Papers may not be reproduced or distributed without the written consent of the author. A revised version may be available directly from the author. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and not those of IREA. Research published in this series may include views on policy, but the institute itself takes no institutional policy positions.
    [Show full text]
  • Modeling Overdispersion with the Normalized Tempered Stable Distribution
    Modeling overdispersion with the normalized tempered stable distribution M. Kolossiatisa, J.E. Griffinb, M. F. J. Steel∗,c aDepartment of Hotel and Tourism Management, Cyprus University of Technology, P.O. Box 50329, 3603 Limassol, Cyprus. bInstitute of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NF, U.K. cDepartment of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K. Abstract A multivariate distribution which generalizes the Dirichlet distribution is intro- duced and its use for modeling overdispersion in count data is discussed. The distribution is constructed by normalizing a vector of independent tempered sta- ble random variables. General formulae for all moments and cross-moments of the distribution are derived and they are found to have similar forms to those for the Dirichlet distribution. The univariate version of the distribution can be used as a mixing distribution for the success probability of a binomial distribution to define an alternative to the well-studied beta-binomial distribution. Examples of fitting this model to simulated and real data are presented. Keywords: Distribution on the unit simplex; Mice fetal mortality; Mixed bino- mial; Normalized random measure; Overdispersion 1. Introduction In many experiments we observe data as the number of observations in a sam- ple with some property. The binomial distribution is a natural model for this type of data. However, the data are often found to be overdispersed relative to that ∗Corresponding author. Tel.: +44-2476-523369; fax: +44-2476-524532 Email addresses: [email protected] (M. Kolossiatis), [email protected] (J.E. Griffin), [email protected] (M.
    [Show full text]