Efficiency Loss with the Kaplan-Meier Estimator.
Abstract
We consider the proportional hazards model where the distribution G of the censoring random variable is related to the distribution F of the lifetime random variable via (1 - G)=(1 - F) to the beta power. Nonparametric estimators of F are developed for the case where beta is unknown and the case where beta is known. Of interest in their own right, these estimators also enable us to study the robustness of the Kaplan-Meier estimator (KME) in a nonparametric model for which it is not the preferred estimator. Comparisons are based on asymptotic efficiencies and exact mean square errors. We also compare the KME to the empirical survival function, thereby providing, in a nonparametric setting, a measure of the loss in efficiency due to the presence of censoring. Keywords: Censored model; Kaplan-Meier estimator; Proportional hazards.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA161341
Entities
People
- Frank Proschan
- James Sconing
- Myles Hollander
Organizations
- Florida State University