Pranab Kumar Sen

Bio: Pranab Kumar Sen is an academic researcher from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The author has contributed to research in topics: Estimator & Nonparametric statistics. The author has an hindex of 51, co-authored 570 publications receiving 19997 citations. Previous affiliations of Pranab Kumar Sen include Indian Statistical Institute & Academia Sinica.

On studentized non-parametric multi-sample location tests.

Abstract: The usual non-parametric multi-sample location tests are based on the assumed identity of the scale parameters of the different cumulative distribution functions (cdf’s). Here is considered the problem of testing the homogeneity of the location parameters without assuming the identity of the corresponding scale parameters. Such a test appears to be very rare in the literature on non-parametric location tests, and the necessary modifications with a class of tests based on certain U-statistics and order statistics, have been discussed here.

On Some Optimum Nonparametric Procedures in Two-Way Layouts

Abstract: Some optimum nonparametric procedures for estimating and testing contrasts in two-way layouts are proposed and studied. These procedures are based on the Chernoff-Savage [4] type of rank order statistics which include the Wilcoxon and normal scores statistics among others. In the first three sections, the properties of the proposed point estimators of contrasts, such as symmetry, invariance and asymptotic normality, are studied and their asymptotic relative efficiencies with respect to the corresponding least-squares estimators are obtained. In particular, it is shown that the procedures based on the normal scores statistics are asymptotically at least as efficient as the corresponding procedures based on the method of least squares, whatever be parent cumulative distribution functions. In sections 4 and 5, the corresponding problems of testing and confidence intervals are discussed, and generalized to two-way layouts with several observations per cell.

Tied-Down Wiener Process Approximations for Aligned Rank Order Processes and Some Applications

Abstract: For independent random variables distributed symmetrically around an unknown location parameter, aligned rank order statistics are constructed by using an estimator of the location parameter based on suitable rank statistics. The sequence of these aligned rank order statistics is then incorporated in the construction of suitable stochastic processes which converge weakly to some Gaussian functions, and, in particular, to tied-down Wiener processes in the most typical cases. The results are extended for contiguous alternatives and then applied in two specific problems in nonparametric inference. First, the problem of testing for shift at an unknown time point is treated, and then, some sequential type asymptotic nonparametric tests for symmetry around an unknown origin are considered.

Robust Statistical Inference for High-Dimensional Data Models with Application to Genomics

Abstract: In high-dimension (K) low sample size (n) environments, often nonlinear, inequality, order or general shape constraints crop up in complex ways, and as a result, likelihood based optimal statistical inference proce- dures may not exist, at least, may not be in manageable form. While some of these inference problems can be treated in asymptotic setups, the curse of dimensionality (i.e., K >> n with often n small) calls for a different type of asymptotics (in K) with different perspectives. Roy's union-intersection principle provides some alternative approaches, generally more amenable for K >> n environments. This scenario is appraised with two important sta- tistical problems in genomic studies: a large number of (possibly dependent) genes with heterogeneity amidst a smaller sample create impasses for stan- dard robust inference. These perspectives are examined here in a nonstandard statistical analysis.

On Kolmogorov-Smirnov-type tests for symmetry

Abstract: For a set of independent but not necessarily identically distributed random variables, a simple Kolmogorov-Smirnov-type test is proposed for testing the hypothesis of symmetry (about a common and specified point). The exact and asymptotic (null hypothesis) distributions of some allied statistics are obtained, and the Bahadur-efficiency of the test is studied.

Comparing the areas under two or more correlated receiver operating characteristic curves: a nonparametric approach.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating and comparing the performance of diagnostic tests are of increasing importance as new tests are developed and marketed. When a test is based on an observed variable that lies on a continuous or graded scale, an assessment of the overall value of the test can be made through the use of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The curve is constructed by varying the cutpoint used to determine which values of the observed variable will be considered abnormal and then plotting the resulting sensitivities against the corresponding false positive rates. When two or more empirical curves are constructed based on tests performed on the same individuals, statistical analysis on differences between curves must take into account the correlated nature of the data. This paper presents a nonparametric approach to the analysis of areas under correlated ROC curves, by using the theory on generalized U-statistics to generate an estimated covariance matrix.

The Design and Analysis of Experiments

Abstract: THE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTS. By Oscar Kempthorne. New York, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1952. 631 pp. $8.50. This book by a teacher of statistics (as well as a consultant for \"experimenters\") is a comprehensive study of the philosophical background for the statistical design of experiment. It is necessary to have some facility with algebraic notation and manipulation to be able to use the volume intelligently. The problems are presented from the theoretical point of view, without such practical examples as would be helpful for those not acquainted with mathematics. The mathematical justification for the techniques is given. As a somewhat advanced treatment of the design and analysis of experiments, this volume will be interesting and helpful for many who approach statistics theoretically as well as practically. With emphasis on the \"why,\" and with description given broadly, the author relates the subject matter to the general theory of statistics and to the general problem of experimental inference. MARGARET J. ROBERTSON

Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists

Abstract: An essential textbook for any student or researcher in biology needing to design experiments, sample programs or analyse the resulting data The text begins with a revision of estimation and hypothesis testing methods, covering both classical and Bayesian philosophies, before advancing to the analysis of linear and generalized linear models Topics covered include linear and logistic regression, simple and complex ANOVA models (for factorial, nested, block, split-plot and repeated measures and covariance designs), and log-linear models Multivariate techniques, including classification and ordination, are then introduced Special emphasis is placed on checking assumptions, exploratory data analysis and presentation of results The main analyses are illustrated with many examples from published papers and there is an extensive reference list to both the statistical and biological literature The book is supported by a website that provides all data sets, questions for each chapter and links to software

The control of the false discovery rate in multiple testing under dependency

Abstract: Benjamini and Hochberg suggest that the false discovery rate may be the appropriate error rate to control in many applied multiple testing problems. A simple procedure was given there as an FDR controlling procedure for independent test statistics and was shown to be much more powerful than comparable procedures which control the traditional familywise error rate. We prove that this same procedure also controls the false discovery rate when the test statistics have positive regression dependency on each of the test statistics corresponding to the true null hypotheses. This condition for positive dependency is general enough to cover many problems of practical interest, including the comparisons of many treatments with a single control, multivariate normal test statistics with positive correlation matrix and multivariate $t$. Furthermore, the test statistics may be discrete, and the tested hypotheses composite without posing special difficulties. For all other forms of dependency, a simple conservative modification of the procedure controls the false discovery rate. Thus the range of problems for which a procedure with proven FDR control can be offered is greatly increased.

Estimates of the Regression Coefficient Based on Kendall's Tau

Abstract: The least squares estimator of a regression coefficient β is vulnerable to gross errors and the associated confidence interval is, in addition, sensitive to non-normality of the parent distribution. In this paper, a simple and robust (point as well as interval) estimator of β based on Kendall's [6] rank correlation tau is studied. The point estimator is the median of the set of slopes (Yj - Yi )/(tj-ti ) joining pairs of points with ti ≠ ti , and is unbiased. The confidence interval is also determined by two order statistics of this set of slopes. Various properties of these estimators are studied and compared with those of the least squares and some other nonparametric estimators.