Bias-corrected smoothed score function for single-index models

Abstract

We in this paper investigate smoothed score function based confidence regions for parameters in single-index models. Because a plug-in estimator of nonparametric link function causes the bias of smoothed score function to be non-negligible, the limit of the score function is asymptotically normal with a non-zero mean due to the slow convergence rate of nonparametric estimation. A bias-corrected smoothed score function is recommended for achieving centered normal limit without under-smoothing or high order kernel, and then the confidence region can be constructed by chi-square distribution. Simulation studies are carried out to assess the performance of bias-corrected local likelihood, and to compare with normal approximation approach.