Book

Likelihood Methods in Statistics

by Donald Edwards

📖 Overview

Likelihood Methods in Statistics provides a detailed examination of likelihood-based statistical inference and its mathematical foundations. The text covers both theoretical principles and practical applications across frequentist and Bayesian frameworks. The book progresses from basic likelihood concepts through to advanced topics including profile likelihood, conditional inference, and asymptotic theory. Mathematical proofs and derivations are balanced with real-world examples from scientific research and data analysis. Edwards presents techniques for parameter estimation, hypothesis testing, and model selection using the likelihood function as the central tool. Statistical computing methods and numerical optimization receive significant attention, reflecting their importance in modern likelihood applications. The text serves as both a technical reference and a philosophical exploration of likelihood's role in statistical reasoning and scientific inference. Its treatment of foundational concepts has influenced statistical methodology across multiple disciplines.

👀 Reviews

Limited reviews exist online for this specialized statistics text. Those who commented found it a focused treatment of likelihood theory and methods that requires graduate-level mathematical statistics knowledge. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of likelihood concepts in practice - Mathematical rigor without being overly theoretical - Practical examples that demonstrate applications Criticisms included: - Dense notation that can be difficult to follow - Assumes strong background in advanced statistics - Limited coverage of modern computational methods Available Ratings: Goodreads: No ratings or reviews Amazon: No customer reviews Google Books/Scholar: Referenced in academic papers but lacks reader reviews This response is limited by the scarcity of public reader reviews for this technical academic text. Most discussion appears in academic citations rather than consumer reviews.

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Theory of Point Estimation by Erich L. Lehmann, George Casella This volume examines estimation theory with emphasis on likelihood methods and their mathematical properties.

All of Statistics: A Concise Course in Statistical Inference by Larry Wasserman The text covers likelihood theory and its applications in modern statistical inference from a mathematical perspective.

Theory of Statistics by Mark J. Schervish This comprehensive work develops statistical theory through likelihood-based methods and decision theory frameworks.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔍 Donald Edwards pioneered modern statistical computing methods at the University of New South Wales, where he developed some of the earliest statistical software packages in the 1960s. 📊 The likelihood method, central to this book's focus, was first introduced by R.A. Fisher in 1922 and revolutionized statistical inference by providing a unified approach to parameter estimation. 📚 Published in 1972, this book was one of the first comprehensive treatments of likelihood methods written specifically for practicing statisticians rather than mathematical theorists. 🎓 The concepts presented in this book form the foundation for modern machine learning techniques, particularly in areas like maximum likelihood estimation used in deep learning algorithms. 🌟 The book's approach to conditional inference remains influential in modern statistical analysis, especially in fields like genetics and epidemiology where complex probability models are common.