A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

A weighted multivariate sign test for cluster-correlated data




AuthorsLarocque D, Nevalainen J, Oja H

PublisherOXFORD UNIV PRESS

Publication year2007

Journal: Biometrika

Journal name in sourceBIOMETRIKA

Journal acronymBIOMETRIKA

Volume94

Issue2

First page 267

Last page283

Number of pages17

ISSN0006-3444

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1093/biomet/asm026


Abstract
We consider the multivariate location problem with cluster-correlated data. A family of multivariate weighted sign tests is introduced for which observations from different clusters can receive different weights. Under weak assumptions, the test statistic is asymptotically distributed as a chi-squared random variable as the number of clusters goes to infinity. The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic is also given for a local alternative model under multivariate normality. Optimal weights maximizing Pitman asymptotic efficiency are provided. These weights depend on the cluster sizes and on the intracluster correlation. Several approaches for estimating these weights are presented. Using Pitman asymptotic efficiency, we show that appropriate weighting can increase substantially the efficiency compared to a test that gives the same weight to each cluster. A multivariate weighted t-test is also introduced. The finite-sample performance of the weighted sign test is explored through a simulation study which shows that the proposed approach is very competitive. A real data example illustrates the practical application of the methodology.



Last updated on 14/10/2025 10:06:30 AM