JSM 2004 - Toronto

Abstract #300773

This is the preliminary program for the 2004 Joint Statistical Meetings in Toronto, Canada. Currently included in this program is the "technical" program, schedule of invited, topic contributed, regular contributed and poster sessions; Continuing Education courses (August 7-10, 2004); and Committee and Business Meetings. This on-line program will be updated frequently to reflect the most current revisions.

To View the Program:
You may choose to view all activities of the program or just parts of it at any one time. All activities are arranged by date and time.

The views expressed here are those of the individual authors
and not necessarily those of the ASA or its board, officers, or staff.

Back to main JSM 2004 Program page
Activity Number: 266
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
Sponsor: Section on Bayesian Statistical Science
Abstract - #300773
Title: A Simple Approach to Fitting Bayesian Survival Models
Author(s): Paul Gustafson*+ and Dana Aeschliman and Adrian R. Levy
Companies: University of British Columbia and University of British Columbia and University of British Columbia
Address: 333-6356 Agricultural Rd., Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada
Keywords: Bayesian survival analysis ; copula model ; Markov chain Monte Carlo ; semiparametric hazard ; time-dependent covariate effects
Abstract:

There has been much recent work on Bayesian approaches to survival analysis, incorporating features such as flexible baseline hazards, time-dependent covariate effects, and random effects. Some of the proposed methods are quite complicated to implement, and we argue that as good or better results can be obtained via simpler methods. In particular, the normal approximation to the log-gamma distribution yields easy and efficient computational methods in the face of simple multivariate normal priors for baseline log-hazards and time-dependent covariate effects. While the basic method applies to piecewise-constant hazards and covariate effects, it is easy to apply importance sampling to consider smoother functions.

  • The address information is for the authors that have a + after their name.
  • Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.

Back to the full JSM 2004 program

JSM 2004 For information, contact jsm@amstat.org or phone (888) 231-3473. If you have questions about the Continuing Education program, please contact the Education Department.
Revised March 2004