Dynamic Linear Models With R

State space models have gained tremendous popularity in recent years in as disparate fields as engineering, economics, genetics and ecology. After a detailed introduction to general state space models, this book focuses on dynamic linear models, emphasizing their Bayesian analysis. Whenever possible it is shown how to compute estimates and forecasts in closed form; for more complex models, simulation techniques are used. A final chapter covers modern sequential Monte Carlo algorithms. The book illustrates all the fundamental steps needed to use dynamic linear models in practice, using R. Many detailed examples based on real data sets are provided to show how to set up a specific model, estimate its parameters, and use it for forecasting. All the code used in the book is available online. No prior knowledge of Bayesian statistics or time series analysis is required, although familiarity with basic statistics and R is assumed.

State space models have gained tremendous popularity in recent years in as disparate fields as engineering, economics, genetics and ecology. After a detailed introduction to general state space models, this book focuses on dynamic linear models, emphasizing their Bayesian analysis. Whenever possible it is shown how to compute estimates and forecasts in closed form; for more complex models, simulation techniques are used. A final chapter covers modern sequential Monte Carlo algorithms. The book illustrates all the fundamental steps needed to use dynamic linear models in practice, using R. Many detailed examples based on real data sets are provided to show how to set up a specific model, estimate its parameters, and use it for forecasting. All the code used in the book is available online. No prior knowledge of Bayesian statistics or time series analysis is required, although familiarity with basic statistics and R is assumed.

R is a language and environment for data analysis and graphics. It may be considered an implementation of S, an award-winning language initially - veloped at Bell Laboratories since the late 1970s. The R project was initiated by Robert Gentleman and Ross Ihaka at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, in the early 1990s, and has been developed by an international team since mid-1997. Historically, econometricians have favored other computing environments, some of which have fallen by the wayside, and also a variety of packages with canned routines. We believe that R has great potential in econometrics, both for research and for teaching. There are at least three reasons for this: (1) R is mostly platform independent and runs on Microsoft Windows, the Mac family of operating systems, and various ?avors of Unix/Linux, and also on some more exotic platforms. (2) R is free software that can be downloaded and installed at no cost from a family of mirror sites around the globe, the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN); hence students can easily install it on their own machines. (3) R is open-source software, so that the full source code is available and can be inspected to understand what it really does, learn from it, and modify and extend it. We also like to think that platform independence and the open-source philosophy make R an ideal environment for reproducible econometric research.

In this book we are concerned with Bayesian learning and forecast ing in dynamic environments. We describe the structure and theory of classes of dynamic models, and their uses in Bayesian forecasting. The principles, models and methods of Bayesian forecasting have been developed extensively during the last twenty years. This devel opment has involved thorough investigation of mathematical and sta tistical aspects of forecasting models and related techniques. With this has come experience with application in a variety of areas in commercial and industrial, scientific and socio-economic fields. In deed much of the technical development has been driven by the needs of forecasting practitioners. As a result, there now exists a relatively complete statistical and mathematical framework, although much of this is either not properly documented or not easily accessible. Our primary goals in writing this book have been to present our view of this approach to modelling and forecasting, and to provide a rea sonably complete text for advanced university students and research workers. The text is primarily intended for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in statistics and mathematics. In line with this objective we present thorough discussion of mathematical and statistical features of Bayesian analyses of dynamic models, with illustrations, examples and exercises in each Chapter.

An insightful approach to the analysis of variance in the study of linear models Linear Models explores the theory of linear models and the dynamic relationships that these models have with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), experimental design, and random and mixed-model effects. This one-of-a-kind book emphasizes an approach that clearly explains the distribution theory of linear models and experimental design starting from basic mathematical concepts in linear algebra. The author begins with a presentation of the classic fixed-effects linear model and goes on to illustrate eight common linear models, along with the value of their use in statistics. From this foundation, subsequent chapters introduce concepts pertaining to the linear model, starting with vector space theory and the theory of least-squares estimation. An outline of the Helmert matrix is also presented, along with a thorough explanation of how the ANOVA is created in both typical two-way and higher layout designs, ultimately revealing the distribution theory. Other important topics covered include: Vector space theory The theory of least squares estimation Gauss-Markov theorem Kronecker products Diagnostic and robust methods for linear models Likelihood approaches to estimation A discussion of Bayesian theory is also included for purposes of comparison and contrast, and numerous illustrative exercises assist the reader with uncovering the nature of the models, using both classic and new data sets. Requiring only a working knowledge of basic probability and statistical inference, Linear Models is a valuable book for courses on linear models at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an excellent reference for practitioners who use linear models to conduct research in the fields of econometrics, psychology, sociology, biology, and agriculture.

This book provides an essential appraisal of the recent advances in technologies, mathematical models and computational software used by those working with geodetic data. It explains the latest methods in processing and analyzing geodetic time series data from various space missions (i.e. GNSS, GRACE) and other technologies (i.e. tide gauges), using the most recent mathematical models. The book provides practical examples of how to apply these models to estimate seal level rise as well as rapid and evolving land motion changes due to gravity (ice sheet loss) and earthquakes respectively. It also provides a necessary overview of geodetic software and where to obtain them.

This innovative, intermediate-level statistics text fills an important gap by presenting the theory of linear statistical models at a level appropriate for senior undergraduate or first-year graduate students. With an innovative approach, the author's introduces students to the mathematical and statistical concepts and tools that form a foundation for studying the theory and applications of both univariate and multivariate linear models A First Course in Linear Model Theory systematically presents the basic theory behind linear statistical models with motivation from an algebraic as well as a geometric perspective. Through the concepts and tools of matrix and linear algebra and distribution theory, it provides a framework for understanding classical and contemporary linear model theory. It does not merely introduce formulas, but develops in students the art of statistical thinking and inspires learning at an intuitive level by emphasizing conceptual understanding. The authors' fresh approach, methodical presentation, wealth of examples, and introduction to topics beyond the classical theory set this book apart from other texts on linear models. It forms a refreshing and invaluable first step in students' study of advanced linear models, generalized linear models, nonlinear models, and dynamic models.

The aim of this volume is to provide a general overview of the econometrics of panel data, both from a theoretical and from an applied viewpoint. Since the pioneering papers by Edwin Kuh (1959), Yair Mundlak (1961), Irving Hoch (1962), and Pietro Balestra and Marc Nerlove (1966), the pooling of cross sections and time series data has become an increasingly popular way of quantifying economic relationships. Each series provides information lacking in the other, so a combination of both leads to more accurate and reliable results than would be achievable by one type of series alone. Over the last 30 years much work has been done: investigation of the properties of the applied estimators and test statistics, analysis of dynamic models and the effects of eventual measurement errors, etc. These are just some of the problems addressed by this work. In addition, some specific diffi culties associated with the use of panel data, such as attrition, heterogeneity, selectivity bias, pseudo panels etc., have also been explored. The first objective of this book, which takes up Parts I and II, is to give as complete and up-to-date a presentation of these theoretical developments as possible. Part I is concerned with classical linear models and their extensions; Part II deals with nonlinear models and related issues: logit and pro bit models, latent variable models, duration and count data models, incomplete panels and selectivity bias, point processes, and simulation techniques.