Download 07-5

JE Griffin and MFJ Steel

Bayesian Nonparametric Modelling with the Dirichlet Process Regression Smoother

Abstract: In this paper we discuss the problem of Bayesian fully nonparametric regression. A new construction of priors for nonparametric regression is discussed and a specific prior, the Dirichlet Process Regression Smoother, is proposed. We consider the problem of centring our process over a class of regression models and propose fully nonparametric regression models with flexible location structures. Computational methods are developed for all models described. Results are presented for simulated and actual data examples.

Keywords: Nonlinear regression; Nonparametric regression; Model centring; Stick-breaking prior.