General Regression Models

Abstract

In this chapter we consider dependent data but move from the linear models of Chap.8 to general regression models. As in Chap.6, we consider generalized linear models (GLMs) and, more briefly, nonlinear models. We first give an outline of this chapter. In Sect.9.2 we describe three motivating datasets to which we return throughout the chapter. The GLMs discussed in Sect.6.3 can be extended to incorporate dependences in observations on the same unit; as with the linear model, an obvious way to carry out modeling in this case is to introduce unit-specific random effects. Within a GLM a natural approach is for these random effects to be included on the linear predictor scale. The resultant conditional models are known as generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), and these are introduced in Sect.9.3. In Sects.9.4 and9.5 we describe likelihood and conditional likelihood methods of estimation, with Sect.9.6 devoted to a Bayesian treatment. Section9.7 illustrates some of the flexibility of GLMMs by describing and applying a particular model for spatial dependence. An alternative random effects specification, based on conjugacy, is described in Sect.9.8. An important approach to the modeling and analysis of dependent data that is philosophically different from the random effects formulation is via marginal models and generalized estimating equations (GEE), and these are the subject of Sect.9.9. In Sect.9.10, a second GEE approach is described in which the estimating equations for the mean are supplemented with a second set for the variances/covariances. For GLMMs, extra care must be taken with parameter interpretation, and Sect.9.11 discusses this issue, emphasizing how interpretation differs between conditional and marginal models. In PartII of the book, which focused on independent data, Chap.7 was devoted to models for binary data. For dependent data, models binary data are less well developed, and so we do not devote a complete chapter to their description. However, Sect.9.12 introduces the modeling of dependent binary data, and, subsequently, Sects.9.13 and 9.14 describe conditional (mixed) and marginal models for binary data. Section 9.15 considers how nonlinear models, as defined in Sect.6.10, can be extended to the dependent data case. For such models, many applications concentrate on inference for units, and so the introduction of random effects is again suggested. We refer to the resultant class of models as nonlinear mixed models (NLMMs). Section9.16 considers issues related to the parameterization of the nonlinear model. Inference for nonlinear mixed models via likelihood and Bayes approaches is covered in Sects.9.17 and9.18, while GEE is briefly considered in Sect.9.19. The assessment of assumptions for general regression models is described in Sect.9.20, with concluding comments contained in Sect.9.21. Additional references appear in Sect.9.22.