The Annals of Statistics

Nonsubjective priors via predictive relative entropy regret

Trevor J. Sweeting, Gauri S. Datta, and Malay Ghosh

Source: Ann. Statist. Volume 34, Number 1 (2006), 441-468.

Abstract

We explore the construction of nonsubjective prior distributions in Bayesian statistics via a posterior predictive relative entropy regret criterion. We carry out a minimax analysis based on a derived asymptotic predictive loss function and show that this approach to prior construction has a number of attractive features. The approach here differs from previous work that uses either prior or posterior relative entropy regret in that we consider predictive performance in relation to alternative nondegenerate prior distributions. The theory is illustrated with an analysis of some specific examples.

Primary Subjects: 62F15
Secondary Subjects: 62B10, 62C20
Keywords: Nonsubjective Bayesian inference; predictive inference; relative entropy loss; higher-order asymptotics

Full-text: Open access

Links and Identifiers

Permanent link to this document: http://projecteuclid.org/euclid.aos/1146576270
Digital Object Identifier: doi:10.1214/009053605000000804
Mathematical Reviews number (MathSciNet): MR2275249
Zentralblatt MATH identifier: 05034318

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