Brown, S., Greene, W. and Harris, M.N. (2014) A new formulation for latent class models. Research Report. 2014006 . Department of Economics, University of Sheffield ISSN 1749-8368
Abstract
Latent class, or finite mixture, modelling has proved a very popular, and relatively easy, way of introducing much-needed heterogeneity into empirical models right across the social sciences. The technique involves (probabilistically) splitting the population into a finite number of (relatively homogeneous) classes, or types. Within each of these, typically, the same statistical model applies, although these are characterised by differing parameters of that distribution. In this way, the same explanatory variables can have differing effects across the classes, for example. A priori, nothing is known about the behaviours within each class; but ex post, researchers invariably label the classes according to expected values, however defined, within each class. Here we propose a simple, yet effective, way of parameterising both the class probabilities and the statistical representation of behaviours within each class, that simultaneously preserves the ranking of such according to class-specific expected values and which yields a parsimonious representation of the class probabilities.
Metadata
Item Type: | Monograph |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | The Sheffield Economic Research Paper Series (SERPS) offers a forum for the research output of the Department of Economics, University of Sheffield. Papers are reviewed for quality and presentation by two internal referees and a departmental editor. However, the contents and opinions expressed remain the responsibility of the author(s). Comments are welcomed and should be addressed to the individual author(s). |
Keywords: | latent class models; finite mixture models; ordered probability models; expected values; body mass index; |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Economics (Sheffield) > Sheffield Economics Research Papers Series |
Depositing User: | Miss Anthea Tucker |
Date Deposited: | 12 May 2014 09:47 |
Last Modified: | 27 Oct 2016 02:35 |
Published Version: | http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/economics/research/serp... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Department of Economics, University of Sheffield |
Series Name: | 2014006 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:78914 |