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Activity Number: 432
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
Sponsor: Section on Bayesian Statistical Science
Abstract - #300962
Title: Objective Bayesian Model Selection in Gaussian Graphical Models
Author(s): James G. Scott*+ and Carlos M. Carvalho
Companies: Duke University and The University of Chicago
Address: Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708,
Keywords: Gaussian graphical models ; covariance selection ; Bayesian model selection ; multiple testing ; Stochastic search
Abstract:

This paper presents a default model-selection procedure for Gaussian graphical models that involves two new developments. First, we develop an objective version of the hyper-inverse Wishart prior for restricted covariance matrices, called the HIW g-prior, and show how it corresponds to the implied fractional prior for covariance selection using fractional Bayes factors. Second, we apply a class of priors that automatically handles the problem of multiple hypothesis testing implied by covariance selection. Numerical experiments show that these priors strongly control the number of false edges included in the model, thereby automatically rewarding sparsity. We demonstrate our methods on a variety of simulated examples, concluding with a real example analyzing covariation in mutual-fund returns that shows our objective-Bayes methods can yield superior predictive performance.


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