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Statistical inference for Markov chains with lumped states
Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Brunel University Uxbridge, Middlesex
In an (n+1)-state homogeneous Markov chain, when due to some experimental limitations n states are not observable, the maximum likelihood estimation of an unknown parameter
is considered and the efficiency of
relative to the most efficient estimator when all the states are observable is discussed. The study is extended to the case when there are two lumps of unobservable states in a four-state Markov chain.
Key Words: Efficiency of estimation First return time probability Lumped states Markov chain Probability generating function