Archive
The Fiducialist Papers: Evidence and Likelihood
“The Fiducialist Papers” was just added to the name of the Evidence and Likelihood website.
LFDR.MLE-package function | R Documentation
Suite of R functions for the estimation of the local false discovery rate (LFDR) using Type II maximum likelihood estimation (MLE):
Inference to the best explanation of the evidence
The p value and Bayesian methods have well known drawbacks when it comes to measuring the strength of the evidence supporting one hypothesis over another. To overcome those drawbacks, this paper proposes an alternative method of quantifying how much support a hypothesis has from evidence consisting of data.
D. R. Bickel, “The strength of statistical evidence for composite hypotheses: Inference to the best explanation,” Statistica Sinica 22, 1147-1198 (2012). Full article | 2010 version
The special law of likelihood has many advantages over more commonly used approaches to measuring the strength of statistical evidence. However, it only can measure the support of a hypothesis that corresponds to a single distribution. The proposed general law of likelihood also can measure the extent to which the data support a hypothesis that corresponds to multiple distributions. That is accomplished by formalizing inference to the best explanation.
How to make decisions using somewhat reliable posterior distributions
D. R. Bickel, “Departing from Bayesian inference toward minimaxity to the extent that the posterior distribution is unreliable,” Working Paper, University of Ottawa, <hal-01673783> https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01673783 (2017). 2017 preprint
Do models have probabilities or just possibilities?
Andrew says: David:I don’t think it makes sense to talk of the probability of a model. See this paper with Shalizi for much discussion of this point.
David Bickel says: If models do not have probabilities, perhaps they have possibilities in the sense of possibility theory. For example, the possibility of a model might be a function of its adequacy according to a model checking procedure: Appendix B of https://goo.gl/5s7bS3
Uncertainty propagation for empirical Bayes interval estimates: A fiducial approach
D. R. Bickel, “Confidence distributions applied to propagating uncertainty to inference based on estimating the local false discovery rate: A fiducial continuum from confidence sets to empirical Bayes set estimates as the number of comparisons increases,” Communications in Statistics – Theory and Methods 46, 10788-10799 (2017). Published article | Free access (limited time) | 2014 preprint
Two problems confronting the eclectic approach to statistics result from its lack of a unifying theoretical foundation. First, there is typically no continuity between a p-value reported as a level of evidence for a hypothesis in the absence of the information needed to estimate a relevant prior on one hand and an estimated posterior probability of a hypothesis reported in the presence of such information on the other hand. Second, the empirical Bayes methods recommended do not propagate the uncertainty due to estimating the prior.
The latter problem is addressed by applying a coherent form of fiducial inference to hierarchical models, yielding empirical Bayes set estimates that reflect uncertainty in estimating the prior. Plugging in the maximum likelihood estimator, while not propagating that uncertainty, provides continuity from single comparisons to large numbers of comparisons.
What’s the goal of statistics in scientific applications?
the goal [of statistical inference in science] is not to infer highly probable claims (in the formal sense)* but claims which have been highly probed and have passed severe probes
Source: Deborah G. Mayo’s Performance or Probativeness? E.S. Pearson’s Statistical Philosophy | Error Statistics Philosophy
“a list of possibly predatory publishers” based on Beall’s List
This is a list of possibly predatory publishers. The kernel for this list was extracted from the archive of Beall’s List at web.archive.org. It will be updated as new information or suggested edits are submitted or found by the maintainers of this site.
Source: List of Predatory Publishers | Stop Predatory Journals (accessed 24 August 2017)
Statistics & Biostatistics Master’s Studentships in Ottawa
Reliable interpretation of genomic information makes unprecedented demands for innovations in statistical methodology and its application to biological systems. This unique opportunity drives research at the Evidence and Likelihood Lab of the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (http://www.davidbickel.com). David Bickel seeks new graduate students who will conduct original research involving the creation and evaluation of novel statistical tools for application to the analysis of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and/or genome-wide-association data.
Each student will work toward an MSc degree in the Mathematics and Statistics Program at the University of Ottawa. MSc students have the additional option of choosing a Bioinformatics or Biostatistics Specialization. Financial support is available.
Intellectual curiosity and high mathematical aptitude are essential, as is the ability to quickly code and debug computer programs. Strong self motivation and good communication skills are also absolutely necessary. The following qualities are desirable but not required: coursework in bioinformatics, computer science, numerical methods, numerical analysis, software engineering, statistics, and/or biology; familiarly with R, S-PLUS, Stan, JAGS, Mathematica, C, Fortran, and/or LaTeX; experience with UNIX or Linux.
Canadians (by citizenship or permanent residency) are especially encouraged to apply, as are all exceptional students. To be considered, send a PDF CV that has your GPA and contact information of two references to dbickel@uOttawa.ca with a cover letter in the body of the message. Please indicate in the subject line of the message your immigration status (“Canadian citizen,” “Canadian PR,” or “visa”) and, optionally, a specialization (“Bioinformatics” or “Biostatistics”). Only those selected for further consideration will receive a response.
David Bickel, statistician 
You must be logged in to post a comment.