Estimating Linear Statistical Relationships

Abstract

This paper on estimating linear statistical relationships includes three lectures on linear functional and structural relationships, factor analysis, and simultaneous equations models. The emphasis is on relating the several models by a general approach and on the similarity of maximum likelihood estimators (under normality) in the different models. In the first two lectures the observable vector is decomposed into a "systematic part" and a random error; the systematic part satisfies the linear relationships. Estimators are derived for several cases and some of their properties given. Estimation of the coefficients of a single equation in a simultaneous equations model is shown to be equivalent to estimation of linear functional relationships.