Author(s): Huan, TC (Huan, Tzung-Cheng); Beaman, J (Beaman, Jay); Chang, LH (Chang, Liang-Han); Hsu, SY (Hsu, Shih-Yun)
Title: Robust and alternative estimators for "better" estimates for expenditures and other "long tail" distributions
Source: TOURISM MANAGEMENT, 29 (4): 795-806 AUG 2008 Language: English
Document Type: Article
Author Keywords: robust; estimation; long-tail distribution; unbiased; reduced variability Abstract: A 2006 Tourism Management article proposes using specific robust estimators to determine "better" estimated means for long-tail distributions; that is for skewed distributions with valid large responses heavily influencing the mean. Getting better estimates matters because long-tail distributions occur frequently for amounts and quantities. In addition, long- tail distribution sample means and totals can be so variable using those prompts concerns.
However, low variability robust estimates of means and totals can be badly biased. Therefore, a focus of this paper is obtaining relatively low variability estimates that are not "too" biased.
Real data are used to illustrate attributes of long-tail distributions. Results show some robust estimators suggested for producing better estimates are badly biased and therefore not better.
Three ways of obtaining lower variability estimated means and totals that are not "too" biased are discussed. Practical and research implications of the ideas presented and of results obtained are discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Addresses: [Hsu, Shih-Yun] Asia Univ, Dept Leisure & Recreat Management, Taichung 41354, Taiwan; [Chang, Liang-Han] Natl Chiayi Univ, Grad Inst Leisure Ind Management, Chiayi, Taiwan; [Beaman, Jay] Colorado State Univ, Auctor Consulting Assoc Ltd, Adjunct Fac, Cheyenne, WY 82009 USA; [Huan, Tzung-Cheng] Natl Chiayi Univ, Grad Inst Leisure Ind Management, Chiayi 600, Taiwan
Reprint Address: Hsu, SY, Asia Univ, Dept Leisure & Recreat Management, 500 Lioufeng Rd, Taichung 41354, Taiwan.
E-mail Address: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
Cited References: *STAT CAN, 2006, 97M0006GPE CTS.
BEAMAN JG, 1998, TOURISM ANAL, V2, P77.
BEAMAN JG, 2004, J TRAVEL RES, V43, P67.
BEAMAN JG, 2006, EREVIEW TOURISM RES, V4.
BEVINGTON PR, 2003, DATA REDUCTION ERROR.
CHERNOFF H, 1959, ELEMENTARY DECISION.
CRAMER H, 1946, MATH METHODS STAT.
DIXON W, 1960, ANN MATH STAT, V31, P385.
DOLMAS J, 2005, 0506 FED RES BANK DA.
FULLER WA, 1991, STAT SINICA, V1, P137.
HOZO SP, 2005, BMC MED RES METHODOL, V5, P13.
HUBER PJ, 1981, ROBUST STAT.
HUTTENLOCHER J, 1990, J EXP PSYCHOL LEARN, V16, P196.
JONES AM, 2000, HDB HLTH EC A, V1.
KENDALL MG, 1943, ADV THEORY STAT, V1.
KROSNICK JA, 1999, ANNU REV PSYCHOL, V50, P537.
KULINSKAYA E, 2005, IMA J MANAGEMENT MAT, V16, P369.
LONG JS, 1997, REGRESSION MODELS CA.
MARAZZI A, 2002, ESTAD USTICA, V54, P47.
MOYER LM, 1984, P SECT SURV RES METH, P467.
MOYER LM, 1991, WILDLIFE SOC B, V19, P267.
MULLAHY J, 1986, J ECONOMETRICS, V33, P341.
POL AP, 2006, TOURISM MANAGE, V27, P42, DOI 10.1016/j.tourman.2004.06.016.
RIPLEY BD, 2006, ROBUST STAT.
SUDMAN S, 1976, APPL SAMPLING.
TAYLOR JR, 1997, INTRO ERROR ANAL.
TUKEY JW, 1962, ANN MATH STAT, V33, P1.
WILCOX RR, 1997, INTRO ROBUST ESTIMAT.
Cited Reference Count: 28 Times Cited: 0
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Publisher Address: THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, OXON, ENGLAND
ISSN: 0261-5177
DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2007.09.004
29-char Source Abbrev.: TOURISM MANAGE ISO Source Abbrev.: Tourism Manage.
Source Item Page Count: 12
Subject Category: Environmental Studies; Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism;
Management
ISI Document Delivery No.: 296ZU
