Edited by Arnold Zellner, Franz C. Palm

The Structural Econometric Time Series Analysis Approach

January 2004 | Hardback | 300 pages 140 tables 72 figures | ISBN: 0-521-81407-3

Bringing together a collection of previously published work, this book provides a timely discussion of major considerations relating to the construction of econometric models that work well to explain economic phenomena, predict future outcomes and be useful for policy-making. Analytical relations between dynamic econometric structural models and empirical time series MVARMA, VAR, transfer function, and univariate ARIMA models are established with important application for model-checking and model construction. The theory and applications of these procedures to a variety of econometric modeling and forecasting problems as well as Bayesian and non-Bayesian testing, shrinkage estimation and forecasting procedures are also presented and applied. Finally, attention is focused on the effects of disaggregation on forecasting precision and the new Marshallian Macroeconomic Model that features demand, supply and entry equations for major sectors of economies is analysed and described. This volume will prove invaluable to professionals, academics and students alike.

Contributors
A. Zellner, F. C. Palm, P. K. Trivedi, P. Evans, C. I. Plosser, R. I. Webb, F. W. Ahking, S. M. Miller, A. Maravall, A. Mathis, A. Garcia-Ferrer, R. A. Highfield, C. Hong, G. M. Gulati, C. Min, A. J. Hoogstrate, G. A. Pfann, J. P. LeSage, M. Magura, J. Tobias, B. Chen

Larry Harper

Global Methods for Combinatorial Isoperimetric Problems

December 2003 | Hardback | 200 pages 50 line diagrams | ISBN: 0-521-83268-3

Certain constrained combinatorial optimisation problems have a natural analogue in the continuous setting of the classical isoperimetric problem. The study of so called combinatorial isoperimetric problems exploits similarities between these two, seemingly disparate, settings. This text focuses on global methods. This means that morphisms, typically arising from symmetry or direct product decomposition, are employed to transform new problems into more restricted and easily solvable settings whilst preserving essential structure. This book is based on Professor Harperfs many years experience in teaching this subject and is ideal for graduate students entering the field. The author has increased the utility of the text for teaching by including worked examples, exercises and material about applications to computer science. Applied systematically, the global point of view can lead to surprising insights and results and established researchers will find this to be a valuable reference work on an innovative method for problem solving.

Contents

1. The edge-isoperimetric problem; 2. The minimum path problem; 3. Stabilization and compression; 4. The vertex-isoperimetric problem; 5. Stronger stabilization; 6. Higher compression; 7. Isoperimetric problems on infinite graphs; 8. Isoperimetric problems on complexes; 9. Morphisms for MWI problems; 10. Passage to the limit; 11. Afterword; 12. The classical isoperimetric problem.

Nicholas P Jewell University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA

Statistics for Epidemiology

Series: Texts in Statistical Science Series Volume: 58

ISBN: 1-58488-433-9
Publication Date: 8/15/2003
Number of Pages: 352

Assumes a fairly low level of mathematical understanding, but goes beyond the 'cookbook' approach
Uses a case-study approach throughout, in order to enhance understanding
Provides all the basic ideas for epidemiological studies, making the book highly useful as a text
Aims to develop the reader's feel for why certain methods are needed and used, and when they make a difference
Provides datasets, solutions to the exercises, and Stata code on a supporting Web site

Written by one of the top biostatisticians in the field, Statistics for Epidemiology carves a substantial niche in a large market by explaining the key ideas behind the analysis of epidemiological data without requiring a high level of mathematics and without resorting a 'cookbook' format. It covers the basic material for analyzing data that arise from simple epidemiological studies, including case-control and matched studies. Methodologically, it describes stratification techniques for handling confounding and interaction, and the logistic regression model. A case-study approach to the techniques is used, following a few simple, readily understood examples through several method chapters, rather than introducing a different example at each stage.

Anthony OfHagan, Professor of Statistics, University of Sheffield, UK
Jon Forster, Reader in Statistics, University of Southampton, UK.

Kendallfs Advanced Theory of Statistics, Volume 2B: Bayesian Inference, 2nd ed.

Publication date: March 2004, Hardback, c448pp, ISBN: 0-340-80752-0,

Reviews of first edition:
'A clearly written and comprehensive account...an excellent book in an excellent series.' Mathematics Today

eThis very well-written book has been designed to complement the Kendallfs series by presenting therein the Bayesian point of view. c The author has skilfully managed to cover a great deal of ground in this volume and readers will find few topics of interest to be missing.f
Short Book Reviews

Key Features:
Clearly written with a comprehensive coverage of the theory and methodology underlying all Bayesian methods
The most up-to-date account
Includes chapters on robustness, computation and MCMC methods
Exercises supplied at the end of each chapter.
Description:
The Bayesian approach to statistics is now widely accepted as theoretically sound and practically viable. Enormous advances in Bayesian methodology in recent years have resulted in a great expansion of applications of Bayesian statistics in a wide variety of fields. This second edition is a response to the developments and advances that have taken place in this area over the last few years and offers the reader an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of Bayesian statistics.

The new edition of Bayesian Inference has been expanded to include new chapters on Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, discrete data models and non-parametric models. Existing chapters have also been thoroughly revised and updated and there is greater coverage of computational methods and of model comparison and criticism. There is also a new chapter of case studies, providing practical illustrations of the theory presented throughout the book.

Like the other volumes in the Kendallfs Library of Statistics, the first edition of Bayesian Inference provided a good selection of exercises at the end of each chapter. This popular feature is retained in the new edition, with many new exercises to deepen the readerfs understanding.

Readership:
All statisticians and anyone needing to know more about Bayesian statistics.

Contents:
Preface
Glossary of Abbreviations
1. The Bayesian method
2. Inference and decisions
3. General principles and theory
4. Subjective probability
5. Non-subjective theories
6. Prior distributions
7. Model comparison
8. Robustness and model criticism
9. Computation
10. Markov Chain Monte Carlo
11. The linear model
12. Discrete data models
13. Nonparametric models
14. Other standard models
15. Short case studies
Bibliography
Author index
Subject index