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Understanding Data Better with Bayesian and Global Statistical Methods

William H. Press
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Abstract

To understand their data better, astronomers need to use statistical tools that are more advanced than traditional ``freshman lab'' statistics. As an illustration, the problem of combining apparently incompatible measurements of a quantity is presented from both the traditional, and a more sophisticated Bayesian, perspective. Explicit formulas are given for both treatments. Results are shown for the value of the Hubble Constant, and a 95% confidence interval of 66 < H0 < 82 (km/s/Mpc) is obtained.

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William H. Press. 1996-04-22. Understanding Data Better with Bayesian and Global Statistical Methods. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9604126

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