In many types of statistical modeling, inequality constraints are imposed between the parameters of interest. As we will show in this paper, the DIC (i.e., posterior Deviance Information Criterium as proposed as a Bayesian model selection tool by Spiegelhalter, Best, Carlin, & Van Der Linde, 2002) fails when comparing inequality constrained hypotheses. In this paper, we will derive the prior DIC and show that it also fails when comparing inequality constrained hypotheses. However, it will be shown that a modification of the prior predictive loss function that is minimized by the prior DIC renders a criterion that does have the properties needed in order to be able to compare inequality constrained hypotheses. This new criterion will be called the Prior Information Criterion (PIC) and will be illustrated and evaluated using simulated data and examples. The PIC has a close connection with the marginal likelihood in combination with the encompassing prior approach and both methods will be compared. All in all, the main message of the current paper is: (1) do not use the classical DIC when evaluating inequality constrained hypotheses, better use the PIC; and (2) the PIC is considered a proper model selection tool in the context of evaluating inequality constrained hypotheses.

Van de Schoot, R., Hoijtink, H., Romeijn, J.-W., & Brugman, D. (2012). A prior predictive loss function for the evaluation of inequality constrained hypotheses. Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 56(1), 13-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmp.2011.10.001

Herbert Hoijtink
Professor Applied Bayesian Statistics
Herbert's main research interest is the evaluation of Informative Hypotheses. These are hypotheses constructed using (in)equality constraints among the parameters of interest.
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