English

Estimation and goodness-of-fit testing for non-negative random variables with explicit Laplace transform

Statistics Theory 2025-06-09 v2 Statistics Theory

Abstract

Many flexible families of positive random variables exhibit non-closed forms of the density and distribution functions and this feature is considered unappealing for modelling purposes. However, such families are often characterized by a simple expression of the corresponding Laplace transform. Relying on the Laplace transform, we propose to carry out parameter estimation and goodness-of-fit testing for a general class of non-standard laws. We suggest a novel data-driven inferential technique, providing parameter estimators and goodness-of-fit tests, whose large-sample properties are derived. The implementation of the method is specifically considered for the positive stable and Tweedie distributions. A Monte Carlo study shows good finite-sample performance of the proposed technique for such laws.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2405.15041,
  title  = {Estimation and goodness-of-fit testing for non-negative random variables with explicit Laplace transform},
  author = {Lucio Barabesi and Antonio Di Noia and Marzia Marcheselli and Caterina Pisani and Luca Pratelli},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2405.15041},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T16:38:04.064Z