Maximum Likelihood Estimation and Inference - Statistics in Practice by Russell B Millar Hardcover

About the Book

"Applied Likelihood Methods provides an accessible and practical introduction to likelihood modeling, supported by examples and software. The book features applications from a range of disciplines, including statistics, medicine, biology, and ecology. The methods are implemented in SAS--the most widely used statistical software package--and the data sets and SAS code are provided on a Web site, enabling the reader to use the methods to solve problems in their own work. This book serves as an ideal text for applied scientists and researchers and graduate students of statistics"--

Book Synopsis

This book takes a fresh look at the popular and well-established method of maximum likelihood for statistical estimation and inference. It begins with an intuitive introduction to the concepts and background of likelihood, and moves through to the latest developments in maximum likelihood methodology, including general latent variable models and new material for the practical implementation of integrated likelihood using the free ADMB software. Fundamental issues of statistical inference are also examined, with a presentation of some of the philosophical debates underlying the choice of statistical paradigm.

Key features:

• Provides an accessible introduction to pragmatic maximum likelihood modelling.
• Covers more advanced topics, including general forms of latent variable models (including non-linear and non-normal mixed-effects and state-space models) and the use of maximum likelihood variants, such as estimating equations, conditional likelihood, restricted likelihood and integrated likelihood.
• Adopts a practical approach, with a focus on providing the relevant tools required by researchers and practitioners who collect and analyze real data.
• Presents numerous examples and case studies across a wide range of applications including medicine, biology and ecology.
• Features applications from a range of disciplines, with implementation in R, SAS and/or ADMB.
• Provides all program code and software extensions on a supporting website.
• Confines supporting theory to the final chapters to maintain a readable and pragmatic focus of the preceding chapters.

This book is not just an accessible and practical text about maximum likelihood, it is a comprehensive guide to modern maximum likelihood estimation and inference. It will be of interest to readers of all levels, from novice to expert. It will be of great benefit to researchers, and to students of statistics from senior undergraduate to graduate level. For use as a course text, exercises are provided at the end of each chapter.

From the Back Cover

This book takes a fresh look at the popular and well-established method of maximum likelihood for statistical estimation and inference. It begins with an intuitive introduction to the concepts and background of likelihood, and moves through to the latest developments in maximum likelihood methodology, including general latent variable models and new material for the practical implementation of integrated likelihood using the free ADMB software. Fundamental issues of statistical inference are also examined, with a presentation of some of the philosophical debates underlying the choice of statistical paradigm.

Key features:

• Provides an accessible introduction to pragmatic maximum likelihood modelling.
• Covers more advanced topics, including general forms of latent variable models (including non-linear and non-normal mixed-effects and state-space models) and the use of maximum likelihood variants, such as estimating equations, conditional likelihood, restricted likelihood and integrated likelihood.
• Adopts a practical approach, with a focus on providing the relevant tools required by researchers and practitioners who collect and analyze real data.
• Presents numerous examples and case studies across a wide range of applications including medicine, biology and ecology.
• Features applications from a range of disciplines, with implementation in R, SAS and/or ADMB.
• Provides all program code and software extensions on a supporting website.
• Confines supporting theory to the final chapters to maintain a readable and pragmatic focus of the preceding chapters

This book is not just an accessible and practical text about maximum likelihood, it is a comprehensive guide to modern maximum likelihood estimation and inference. It will be of interest to readers of all levels, from novice to expert. It will be of great benefit to researchers, and to students of statistics from senior undergraduate to graduate level. For use as a course text, exercises are provided at the end of each chapter.

Review Quotes

"This book is well-presented and would suit applied scientists, researchers, graduate students and particularly anyone who uses likelihood and such methods to their studies and applications." (ISR, 2012)

About the Author

Russell B. Millar is the author of Maximum Likelihood Estimation and Inference: With Examples in R, SAS and ADMB, published by Wiley.