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Source Existence and Parameter Fitting When Few Counts Are Available

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Statistical Challenges in Modern Astronomy

Abstract

Frequently, astronomers are confronted with situations where only a very small number of events must be interpreted as tests of models or used to constrain parameter values. Three recent examples of such problems are presented, with a discussion of the statistical resolution chosen. The intent of this review is to alert astronomers to the pitfalls of utilizing ordinary statistical tools in these cases, and to interest statisticians in giving these “special cases” more consideration in their popular work.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Pennsylvania State University, 525 Davey Laboratory, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    John A. Nousek

Authors
  1. John A. Nousek
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Eric D. Feigelson

  2. Department of Statistics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    G. Jogesh Babu

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© 1992 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

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Nousek, J.A. (1992). Source Existence and Parameter Fitting When Few Counts Are Available. In: Feigelson, E.D., Babu, G.J. (eds) Statistical Challenges in Modern Astronomy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9290-3_35

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9290-3_35

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-9292-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-9290-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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