Smoothing Methods in Statistics

Focussing on applications, this book covers a very broad range, including simple and complex univariate and multivariate density estimation, nonparametric regression estimation, categorical data smoothing, and applications of smoothing to other areas of statistics. It will thus be of particular interest to data analysts, as arguments generally proceed from actual data rather than statistical theory, while the "Background Material" sections will interest statisticians studying the field. Over 750 references allow researchers to find the original sources for more details, and the "Computational Issues" sections provide sources for statistical software that use the methods discussed. Each chapter includes exercises with a heavily computational focus based upon the data sets used in the book, making it equally suitable as a textbook for a course in smoothing.

"...an excellent reference to the field and has no rival in terms of accessibility, coverage, and utility." (Jnl. of the Am. Statistical Association) "...an excellent overview of smoothing methods and concepts, presenting material in an intuitive manner with many interesting graphics." (Technometrics)

The existence of high speed, inexpensive computing has made it easy to look at data in ways that were once impossible. Where once a data analyst was forced to make restrictive assumptions before beginning, the power of the computer now allows great freedom in deciding where an analysis should go. One area that has benefited greatly from this new freedom is that of non parametric density, distribution, and regression function estimation, or what are generally called smoothing methods. Most people are familiar with some smoothing methods (such as the histogram) but are unlikely to know about more recent developments that could be useful to them. If a group of experts on statistical smoothing methods are put in a room, two things are likely to happen. First, they will agree that data analysts seriously underappreciate smoothing methods. Smoothing meth- ods use computing power to give analysts the ability to highlight unusual structure very effectively, by taking advantage of people's abilities to draw conclusions from well-designed graphics. Data analysts should take advan- tage of this, they will argue.

This book surveys the uses of smoothing methods in statistics. The coverage has an applied focus, and is very broad, including simple and complex univariate and multivariate density estimation, nonparametric regression estimation, categorical data smoothing, and applications of smoothing to other areas of statistics.

Focussing on applications, this book covers a very broad range, including simple and complex univariate and multivariate density estimation, nonparametric regression estimation, categorical data smoothing, and applications of smoothing to other areas of statistics. It will thus be of particular interest to data analysts, as arguments generally proceed from actual data rather than statistical theory, while the "Background Material" sections will interest statisticians studying the field. Over 750 references allow researchers to find the original sources for more details, and the "Computational Issues" sections provide sources for statistical software that use the methods discussed. Each chapter includes exercises with a heavily computational focus based upon the data sets used in the book, making it equally suitable as a textbook for a course in smoothing.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [290]-320) and indexes.

Introduction.- Simple Univariate Density Estimation.- Smoother Univariate Density Estimation.- Multivariate Denisty Estimation.- Nonparametric Regression.- Smoothing Categorical Data.- Further Applications of Smoothing.- Appendix A: Descriptions of the Data Sets; Appendix B: More on Computational Issues.