Mathematical Foundations of Infinite-Dimensional Statistical Models: 40 (Cambridge Series in Statistical and Probabilistic Mathematics, Series Number 40) - Hardcover

Giné, Evarist; Nickl, Richard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1107043166 ISBN 13: 9781107043169

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2016

Synopsis

In nonparametric and high-dimensional statistical models, the classical Gauss-Fisher-Le Cam theory of the optimality of maximum likelihood estimators and Bayesian posterior inference does not apply, and new foundations and ideas have been developed in the past several decades. This book gives a coherent account of the statistical theory in infinite-dimensional parameter spaces. The mathematical foundations include self-contained 'mini-courses' on the theory of Gaussian and empirical processes, on approximation and wavelet theory, and on the basic theory of function spaces. The theory of statistical inference in such models - hypothesis testing, estimation and confidence sets - is then presented within the minimax paradigm of decision theory. This includes the basic theory of convolution kernel and projection estimation, but also Bayesian nonparametrics and nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation. In the final chapter, the theory of adaptive inference in nonparametric models is developed, including Lepski's method, wavelet thresholding, and adaptive inference for self-similar functions.

About this title

Review

'Finally - a book that goes all the way in the mathematics of nonparametric statistics. It is reasonably self-contained, despite its depth and breadth, including accessible overviews of the necessary analysis and approximation theory.' Aad van der Vaart, Universiteit Leiden

'This remarkable book provides a detailed account of a great wealth of mathematical ideas and tools that are crucial in modern statistical inference, including Gaussian and empirical processes (where the first author, Evarist Giné, was one of the key contributors), concentration inequalities and methods of approximation theory. Building upon these ideas, the authors develop and discuss a broad spectrum of statistical applications such as minimax lower bounds and adaptive inference, nonparametric likelihood methods and Bayesian nonparametrics. The book will be exceptionally useful for a great number of researchers interested in nonparametric problems in statistics and machine learning, including graduate students.' Vladimir Koltchinskii, Georgia Institute of Technology

'This is a very welcome contribution. The wealth of material on the empirical processes and nonparametric statistics is quite exceptional. It is a masterly written treatise offering an unprecedented coverage of the classical theory of nonparametric inference, with glimpses into advanced research topics. For the first time in the monographic literature, estimation, testing and confidence sets are treated in a unified way from the nonparametric perspective with a comprehensive insight into adaptation issues. A delightful major reading that I warmly recommend to anyone wanting to explore the mathematical foundations of these fields.' Alexandre Tsybakov, ENSAE ParisTech

'This is a remarkably comprehensive, detailed and rigorous treatment of mathematical theory for non-parametric and high-dimensional statistics. Special emphasis is on density and regression estimation and corresponding confidence sets and hypothesis testing. The minimax paradigm and adaptivity play a key role.' Natalie Neumeyer, MathSciNet

Book Description

High-dimensional and nonparametric statistical models are ubiquitous in modern data science. This book develops a mathematically coherent and objective approach to statistical inference in such models, with a focus on function estimation problems arising from random samples (density estimation) or from Gaussian regression/signal in white noise problems.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1107043166
• ISBN 13: 9781107043169
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 720