Improved Probability Method for Estimating Signal in the Presence of Background
Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability
2009-10-31 v3
Abstract
A suggestion is made for improving the Feldman Cousins method of estimating signal counts in the presence of background. The method concentrates on finding essential information about the signal and ignoring extraneous information about background. An appropriate method is found which uses the condition that the number of background events obtained does not exceed the total number of events obtained. Several alternative approaches are explored.
Cite
@article{arxiv.physics/9812036,
title = {Improved Probability Method for Estimating Signal in the Presence of Background},
author = {Byron P. Roe and Michael B. Woodroofe},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/9812036},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
Modified 12/21 for singlespace to save trees, 9 pages, 1 figure. Modified 8/11/99 to add small modifications made for the Phys. Rev. article