On 10 Mar 2004 at 11:25, Phillip Good wrote:

> Dawson says the same thing Everitt does. 

Really?

> 
> Peter Flom <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:I quoted Brian. Everitt as saying
> 
> > More complex answer: The definition of a confidence interval is
> (from
> > The Cambridge Dictionay of Statistics, by B.S. Everitt)
> > "A range of values, calculated from the sample observations, that
> are
> > believed, with a particular probablity, to contain the true 

Here it is used the word "believs", which seem to imply some kind of 
subjective probability. Below it is given a technically correct 
definition, using frequency in the long run. There is no way that
frequency in the long run necessarily implies beleaf in a concret, 
individual case.

> parameter
> > value. A 95% CI, for example, implies that were the estimation
> process
> > repeated again and again, then 95% of the calculated intervals would
> be
> > expected to contain the true parameter value. Note that the stated
> > probablity level refers to properties of the interval and not to the
> > parameter itself, which is not considered a random variable....."
> 
> And Robert Dawson replied 
> <<<
> And this is wrong. The probability level refers to the method
> of
> generating the interval, not to the interval generated.
> 
> A valid (if, perhaps, not optimal) 95% CI method may generate
> an
> interval that is known to contain the true parameter value, or one
> that is known to have missed. >>>
> 
> I am not sure that I follow you here.....Do you have an definition of
> a CI which says what you mean? Alternatively, could you provide more
> details?
> 
...
...> 
> Me, I am just a data analyst with a PhD in Psychometrics; but I am
> interested in this discussion 
> 

If you really want to understand the issues, see J. O. Berger & R L 
Wolpert: "The Likelihood Principle", Institute of Mathemathical 
Statistics, Lecture Notes --- Monograph Series. (1984 - I think there 
is a second edition now, I have only the first). 

Kjetil Halvorsen

> Peter
> 
> Peter L. Flom, PhD
> Assistant Director, Statistics and Data Analysis Core
> Center for Drug Use and HIV Research
> National Development and Research Institutes
> 71 W. 23rd St
> www.peterflom.com
> New York, NY 10010
> (212) 845-4485 (voice)
> (917) 438-0894 (fax)
> 
> 
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> 
> Phillip Good
> http.ms//www.statistician.usa
> "Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where
> it keeps its brain."  JKR
> 
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