On the Markov Chain Binomial Model

Abstract

Rudolfer [1] studied properties and estimation of a state Markov chain binomial (MCB) model of extra-binomial variation. The variance expression in Lemma 4 is stated without proof but is incorrect, resulting in both Lemma 5 and Theorem 2 also being incorrect. These errors were corrected in Rudolfer [2]. In Sections 2 and 3 of this paper, a new derivation of the variance expression in a setting involving the natural parameters is presented and the relation of the MCB model to Edwards’ [3] probability generating function (pgf) approach is discussed. Section 4 deals with estimation of the model parameters. Estimation by the maximum likelihood method is difficult for a larger number n of Markov trials due to the complexity of the calculation of probabilities using Equation (3.2) of Rudolfer [1]. In this section, the exact maximum likelihood estimation of model parameters is obtained utilizing a sequence of Markov trials each involving n observations from a {0,1}- state MCB model and may be used for any value of n. Two examples in Section 5 illustrate the usefulness of the MCB model. The first example gives corrected results for Skellam’s Brassica data while the second applies the “sequence approach” to data from Crouchley and Pickles [4].