Empirical methods in the evaluation of estimators

Gerald S. Walton; C.J. DeMars; C.J. DeMars

Treesearch

Empirical methods in the evaluation of estimators

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Gerald S. Walton, C.J. DeMars, C.J. DeMars

Year:

1973

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-272. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 15 p.

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Download (PDF 2.68 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/23620.pdf

Abstract

The authors discuss the problem of selecting estimators of density and survival by making use of data on a forest-defoliating larva, the spruce budworm. Varlous estimators are compared. The results show that, among the estimators considered, ratio-type estimators are superior in terms of bias and variance. The methods used in making comparisons, particularly simulation, are generally applicable to situations in which data appropriate for making estimates are on hand.

Citation

Walton, Gerald S.; DeMars, C.J. 1973. Empirical methods in the evaluation of estimators. Res. Pap. NE-272. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 15 p.