Empirical likelihood inference for generalized additive partially linear models

Abstract

Generalized additive partially linear models enjoy the simplicity of GLMs and the flexibility of GAMs because they combine both parametric and nonparametric components. Based on spline-backfitted kernel estimator, we propose empirical likelihood (EL)-based pointwise confidence intervals and simultaneous confidence bands (SCBs) for the nonparametric component functions to make statistical inference. Simulation study strongly supports the asymptotic theory and shows that EL-based SCBs are much easier for implementation and have better performance than Wald-type SCBs. We apply the proposed method to a university retention study and provide SCBs for the effect of the students information.