Open Access: Robust prediction of domain compositions from uncertain data using isometric logratio transformations in a penalized multivariate Fay–Herriot model

Each week, we select a recently published Open Access article to feature. This week’s article comes from Statistica Neerlandica and proposes a robust multivariate Fay-Herriot model to solve issues and limitations with small area estimation with generalized linear models. The new proposed model is applied to alcohol consumption in Germany.  

The article’s abstract is given below, with the full article available to read here.

Krause, J.Burgard, J. P., & Morales, D. (2021). Robust prediction of domain compositions from uncertain data using isometric logratio transformations in a penalized multivariate Fay–Herriot modelStatistica Neerlandica1– 32https://doi.org/10.1111/stan.12253
 
Assessing regional population compositions is an important task in many research fields. Small area estimation with generalized linear mixed models marks a powerful tool for this purpose. However, the method has limitations in practice. When the data are subject to measurement errors, small area models produce inefficient or biased results since they cannot account for data uncertainty. This is particularly problematic for composition prediction, since generalized linear mixed models often rely on approximate likelihood inference. Obtained predictions are not reliable. We propose a robust multivariate Fay–Herriot model to solve these issues. It combines compositional data analysis with robust optimization theory. The nonlinear estimation of compositions is restated as a linear problem through isometric logratio transformations. Robust model parameter estimation is performed via penalized maximum likelihood. A robust best predictor is derived. Simulations are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach. An application to alcohol consumption in Germany is provided.
 
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