Wesley O. Johnson - Böcker

A fascinating investigation into the foundations of statistical inference This publication examines the distinct philosophical foundations of different statistical modes of parametric inference. Unlike many other texts that focus on methodology and applications, this book focuses on a rather unique combination of theoretical and foundational aspects that underlie the field of statistical inference. Readers gain a deeper understanding of the evolution and underlying logic of each mode as well as each mode's strengths and weaknesses. The book begins with fascinating highlights from the history of statistical inference. Readers are given historical examples of statistical reasoning used to address practical problems that arose throughout the centuries. Next, the book goes on to scrutinize four major modes of statistical inference:* Frequentist* Likelihood* Fiducial* Bayesian The author provides readers with specific examples and counterexamples of situations and datasets where the modes yield both similar and dissimilar results, including a violation of the likelihood principle in which Bayesian and likelihood methods differ from frequentist methods. Each example is followed by a detailed discussion of why the results may have varied from one mode to another, helping the reader to gain a greater understanding of each mode and how it works. Moreover, the author provides considerable mathematical detail on certain points to highlight key aspects of theoretical development. The author's writing style and use of examples make the text clear and engaging. This book is fundamental reading for graduate-level students in statistics as well as anyone with an interest in the foundations of statistics and the principles underlying statistical inference, including students in mathematics and the philosophy of science. Readers with a background in theoretical statistics will find the text both accessible and absorbing.

Praise for Bayesian Thinking in Biostatistics:"This thoroughly modern Bayesian book …is a 'must have' as a textbook or a reference volume. Rosner, Laud and Johnson make the case for Bayesian approaches by melding clear exposition on methodology with serious attention to a broad array of illuminating applications. These are activated by excellent coverage of computing methods and provision of code. Their content on model assessment, robustness, data-analytic approaches and predictive assessments…are essential to valid practice. The numerous exercises and professional advice make the book ideal as a text for an intermediate-level course…" -Thomas Louis, Johns Hopkins University"The book introduces all the important topics that one would usually cover in a beginning graduate level class on Bayesian biostatistics. The careful introduction of the Bayesian viewpoint and the mechanics of implementing Bayesian inference in the early chapters makes it a complete self- contained introduction to Bayesian inference for biomedical problems….Another great feature for using this book as a textbook is the inclusion of extensive problem sets, going well beyond construed and simple problems. Many exercises consider real data and studies, providing very useful examples in addition to serving as problems."- Peter Mueller, University of TexasWith a focus on incorporating sensible prior distributions and discussions on many recent developments in Bayesian methodologies, Bayesian Thinking in Biostatistics considers statistical issues in biomedical research. The book emphasizes greater collaboration between biostatisticians and biomedical researchers. The text includes an overview of Bayesian statistics, a discussion of many of the methods biostatisticians frequently use, such as rates and proportions, regression models, clinical trial design, and methods for evaluating diagnostic tests.Key Features Applies a Bayesian perspective to applications in biomedical science Highlights advances in clinical trial design Goes beyond standard statistical models in the book by introducing Bayesian nonparametric methods and illustrating their uses in data analysis Emphasizes estimation of biomedically relevant quantities and assessment of the uncertainty in this estimation Provides programs in the BUGS language, with variants for JAGS and Stan, that one can use or adapt for one's own researchThe intended audience includes graduate students in biostatistics, epidemiology, and biomedical researchers, in generalAuthorsGary L. Rosner is the Eli Kennerly Marshall, Jr., Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Professor of Biostatistics at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Purushottam (Prakash) W. Laud is Professor in the Division of Biostatistics, and Director of the Biostatistics Shared Resource for the Cancer Center, at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Wesley O. Johnson is professor Emeritus in the Department of Statistics as the University of California, Irvine.