Nonparametric and Semiparametric Models

The concept of nonparametric smoothing is a central idea in statistics that aims to simultaneously estimate and modes the underlying structure. The book considers high dimensional objects, as density functions and regression. The semiparametric modeling technique compromises the two aims, flexibility and simplicity of statistical procedures, by introducing partial parametric components. These components allow to match structural conditions like e.g. linearity in some variables and may be used to model the influence of discrete variables.

The aim of this monograph is to present the statistical and mathematical principles of smoothing with a focus on applicable techniques. The necessary mathematical treatment is easily understandable and a wide variety of interactive smoothing examples are given.

The book does naturally split into two parts: Nonparametric models (histogram, kernel density estimation, nonparametric regression) and semiparametric models (generalized regression, single index models, generalized partial linear models, additive and generalized additive models). The first part is intended for undergraduate students majoring in mathematics, statistics, econometrics or biometrics whereas the second part is intended to be used by master and PhD students or researchers.

The material is easy to accomplish since the e-book character of the text gives a maximum of flexibility in learning (and teaching) intensity.

• Additive Models
• Density Estimation
• Generalized Partial Linear Models
• Nonparametric Models
• Regression
• Semiparametric Model
• Semiparametric Models
• Single Index Models
• Smoothing
• econometrics
• modeling
• statistics

From the reviews:

"This book contains a good coverage of some of the widely used nonparametric and semiparametric modeling techniques. … The concepts are presented very clearly with numerous examples and data analytic illustrations. … Authors have done a good job of illustrating the concepts and the methodology with very well chosen examples. The exercises at the end of each chapter are carefully prepared so that students become familiar with the important issues. This book will be very useful for students in statistics, biostatistics and econometrics." (Probal Chaudhuri, Sankhya, Vol. 67 (1), 2005)

"This is another book by Professor Wolfgang Härdle and his colleagues on nonparametric statistics and smoothing. The unique feature of this book is the inclusion of topics on semi-parametric regression models for high-dimensional data. … Minimum theory and numerical examples are covered in this book, which makes this book mostly suitable for a course in nonparametric regression to graduate students. … will be useful for readers who would like to understand the statistical and mathematical principles and basic concepts and techniques of smoothing." (Dongsheng Tu, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1059 (10), 2005)

"This book deals with the problem of how to estimate … . As such the problems that it deals with are closely related to the exploratory data analysis techniques … . The text is well organized, with some exercises, which in the later sections of the book have the character of research theses. Each chapter ends with a useful summary, and the notation is summarized at the beginning of the book. … would be good for those wanting to catch up with recent developments in this field." (Mark P. Little, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Vol. 168 (4), 2005)

"The book is very well written and a pleasure to read with the methods fully illustrated. At the end of each chapter is a valuable summary of the important formulae andmethods introduced in the chapter. The book progresses by first motivating, then developing methodology, and finally providing statistical properties." (T.P. Hettmansperger, Short Book Reviews, Vol. 24 (3), 2004)

"This book, part of the Springer Series in Statistics, is a detailed, mathematical presentation of smoothing techniques … . Each chapter ends with a summary of key issues and findings that were presented earlier and serves as an excellent review for the reader. Finally, bibliographic notes at the end of each chapter often provide good historic perspective … . This book is a thorough and complete reference on modeling techniques … . a useful source on the theory associated with smoothing algorithms and testing." (Robert Lordo, Technometrics, Vol. 47 (2), May, 2005)

• CASE — Center for Applied Statistics and Economics Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany

  Wolfgang Härdle

• DIW Berlin, Berlin, Germany

  Axel Werwatz

• Fraunhofer ITWM, Kaiserslautern, Germany

  Marlene Müller

• Departamento de Economía, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Getafe (Madrid), Spain

  Stefan Sperlich

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