M-Estimation for Discrete Data. Asymptotic Distribution Theory and Implications.
Abstract
The asymptotic distribution of an M-estimator is studies when the underlying distribution is discrete. Asymptotic normality is shown to hold quite generally within the assumed parametric family. When the specification of the model is inexact, however, it is demonstrated that an M-estimator with a non-smooth score function, e.g. a Huber estimator, has a non-normal limiting distribution at certain distributions, resulting in unstable inference in the neighborhood of such distributions. Consequently, smooth score functions are proposed for discrete data. Keywords: Robust estimation; and Discrete parametric models. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA162779
Entities
People
- David Ruppert
- Douglas G. Simpson
- Raymond J. Carroll
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill