G. Jogesh Babu

This textbook offers an accessible and comprehensive overview of statistical estimation and inference that reflects current trends in statistical research. It draws from three main themes throughout: the finite-sample theory, the asymptotic theory, and Bayesian statistics. The authors have included a chapter on estimating equations as a means to unify a range of useful methodologies, including generalized linear models, generalized estimation equations, quasi-likelihood estimation, and conditional inference. They also utilize a standardized set of assumptions and tools throughout, imposing regular conditions and resulting in a more coherent and cohesive volume. Written for the graduate-level audience, this text can be used in a one-semester or two-semester course.

Modern astronomical research is beset with a vast range of statistical challenges, ranging from reducing data from megadatasets to characterizing an amazing variety of variable celestial objects or testing astrophysical theory. Linking astronomy to the world of modern statistics, this volume is a unique resource, introducing astronomers to advanced statistics through ready-to-use code in the public domain R statistical software environment. The book presents fundamental results of probability theory and statistical inference, before exploring several fields of applied statistics, such as data smoothing, regression, multivariate analysis and classification, treatment of nondetections, time series analysis, and spatial point processes. It applies the methods discussed to contemporary astronomical research datasets using the R statistical software, making it invaluable for graduate students and researchers facing complex data analysis tasks. A link to the author's website for this book can be found at www.cambridge.org/msma. Material available on their website includes datasets, R code and errata.