M. P. Wand

Semiparametric regression is concerned with the flexible incorporation of non-linear functional relationships in regression analyses. Any application area that benefits from regression analysis can also benefit from semiparametric regression. Assuming only a basic familiarity with ordinary parametric regression, this user-friendly book explains the techniques and benefits of semiparametric regression in a concise and modular fashion. The authors make liberal use of graphics and examples plus case studies taken from environmental, financial, and other applications. They include practical advice on implementation and pointers to relevant software. The book is suitable as a textbook for students with little background in regression as well as a reference book for statistically oriented scientists such as biostatisticians, econometricians, quantitative social scientists, epidemiologists, with a good working knowledge of regression and the desire to begin using more flexible semiparametric models. Even experts on semiparametric regression should find something new here.

Semiparametric regression is concerned with the flexible incorporation of non-linear functional relationships in regression analyses. Any application area that benefits from regression analysis can also benefit from semiparametric regression. Assuming only a basic familiarity with ordinary parametric regression, this user-friendly book explains the techniques and benefits of semiparametric regression in a concise and modular fashion. The authors make liberal use of graphics and examples plus case studies taken from environmental, financial, and other applications. They include practical advice on implementation and pointers to relevant software. The book is suitable as a textbook for students with little background in regression as well as a reference book for statistically oriented scientists such as biostatisticians, econometricians, quantitative social scientists, epidemiologists, with a good working knowledge of regression and the desire to begin using more flexible semiparametric models. Even experts on semiparametric regression should find something new here.

Kernel smoothing refers to a general methodology for recovery of underlying structure in data sets.The basic principle is that local averaging or smoothing is performed with respect to a kernel function. This book provides uninitiated readers with a feeling for the principles, applications, and analysis of kernel smoothers. This is facilitated by the authors' focus on the simplest settings, namely density estimation and nonparametric regression. They pay particular attention to the problem of choosing the smoothing parameter of a kernel smoother, and also treat the multivariate case in detail. Kernel Smoothing is self-contained and assumes only a basic knowledge of statistics, calculus, and matrix algebra. It is an invaluable introduction to the main ideas of kernel estimation for students and researchers from other discipline and provides a comprehensive reference for those familiar with the topic.More information on the book, and the accompanying R package can be found here.