Journal of Statistical Software

Pro Data Visualization Using R and JavaScript: Analyze and Visualize Key Data on the Web

2022-05-25T01:10:10+00:00

Doing Meta-Analysis with R - A Hands-On Guide

2022-05-25T01:49:34+00:00

GaussianProcesses.jl: A Nonparametric Bayes Package for the Julia Language

2021-06-02T15:58:22+00:00

Gaussian processes are a class of flexible nonparametric Bayesian tools that are widely used across the sciences, and in industry, to model complex data sources. Key to applying Gaussian process models is the availability of well-developed open source software, which is available in many programming languages. In this paper, we present a tutorial of the GaussianProcesses.jl package that has been developed for the Julia programming language. GaussianProcesses.jl utilizes the inherent computational benefits of the Julia language, including multiple dispatch and just-in-time compilation, to produce a fast, flexible and user-friendly Gaussian processes package. The package provides many mean and kernel functions with supporting inference tools to fit exact Gaussian process models, as well as a range of alternative likelihood functions to handle non-Gaussian data (e.g., binary classification models) and sparse approximations for scalable Gaussian processes. The package makes efficient use of existing Julia packages to provide users with a range of optimization and plotting tools.

Multivariate Normal Variance Mixtures in R: The R Package nvmix

2021-09-18T14:51:51+00:00

We present the features and implementation of the R package nvmix for the class of normal variance mixtures including Student t and normal distributions. The package provides functionalities for such distributions, notably the evaluation of the distribution and density function as well as likelihood-based parameter estimation. The distributional family is specified through the quantile function of the underlying mixing random variable. The R package nvmix thus allows one to model multivariate distributions well beyond the classical multivariate normal and t case. Additional functionalities include graphical goodness-of-fit assessment, the estimation of the risk measures value-at-risk and expected shortfall for univariate normal variance mixture distributions and functions to work with normal variance mixture copulas, such as sampling and the evaluation of normal variance mixture copulas and their densities. Furthermore, the package nvmix also provides functionalities for the evaluation of the distribution and density function as well as random variate generation for the more general class of grouped normal variance mixtures.

covsim: An R Package for Simulating Non-Normal Data for Structural Equation Models Using Copulas

2021-08-31T11:18:36+00:00

In factor analysis and structural equation modeling non-normal data simulation is traditionally performed by specifying univariate skewness and kurtosis together with the target covariance matrix. However, this leaves little control over the univariate distributions and the multivariate copula of the simulated vector. In this paper we explain how a more flexible simulation method called vine-to-anything (VITA) may be obtained from copula-based techniques, as implemented in a new R package, covsim. VITA is based on the concept of a regular vine, where bivariate copulas are coupled together into a full multivariate copula. We illustrate how to simulate continuous and ordinal data for covariance modeling, and how to use the new package discnorm to test for underlying normality in ordinal data. An introduction to copula and vine simulation is provided in the appendix.

rags2ridges: A One-Stop-ℓ2-Shop for Graphical Modeling of High-Dimensional Precision Matrices

2021-08-31T09:35:36+00:00

A graphical model is an undirected network representing the conditional independence properties between random variables. Graphical modeling has become part and parcel of systems or network approaches to multivariate data, in particular when the variable dimension exceeds the observation dimension. rags2ridges is an R package for graphical modeling of high-dimensional precision matrices through ridge (ℓ₂) penalties. It provides a modular framework for the extraction, visualization, and analysis of Gaussian graphical models from high-dimensional data. Moreover, it can handle the incorporation of prior information as well as multiple heterogeneous data classes. As such, it provides a one-stop-ℓ₂-shop for graphical modeling of high-dimensional precision matrices. The functionality of the package is illustrated with an example dataset pertaining to blood-based metabolite measurements in persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

sensobol: An R Package to Compute Variance-Based Sensitivity Indices

2021-09-09T08:56:53+00:00

The R package sensobol provides several functions to conduct variance-based uncertainty and sensitivity analysis, from the estimation of sensitivity indices to the visual representation of the results. It implements several state-of-the-art first and total-order estimators and allows the computation of up to fourth-order effects, as well as of the approximation error, in a swift and user-friendly way. Its flexibility makes it also appropriate for models with either a scalar or a multivariate output. We illustrate its functionality by conducting a variance-based sensitivity analysis of three classic models: the Sobol' (1998) G function, the logistic population growth model of Verhulst (1845), and the spruce budworm and forest model of Ludwig, Jones, and Holling (1976).

The R Package stagedtrees for Structural Learning of Stratified Staged Trees

2021-07-19T10:27:57+00:00

stagedtrees is an R package which includes several algorithms for learning the structure of staged trees and chain event graphs from data. Score-based and clustering-based algorithms are implemented, as well as various functionalities to plot the models and perform inference. The capabilities of stagedtrees are illustrated using mainly two datasets both included in the package or bundled in R.

NeuralSens: Sensitivity Analysis of Neural Networks

2021-02-07T21:57:02+00:00

This article presents the NeuralSens package that can be used to perform sensitivity analysis of neural networks using the partial derivatives method. The main function of the package calculates the partial derivatives of the output with regard to the input variables of a multi-layer perceptron model, which can be used to evaluate variable importance based on sensitivity measures and characterize relationships between input and output variables. Methods to calculate partial derivatives are provided for objects trained using common neural network packages in R, and a 'numeric' method is provided for objects from packages which are not included. The package also includes functions to plot the information obtained from the sensitivity analysis. The article contains an overview of techniques for obtaining information from neural network models, a theoretical foundation of how partial derivatives are calculated, a description of the package functions, and applied examples to compare NeuralSens functions with analogous functions from other available R packages.

econet: An R Package for Parameter-Dependent Network Centrality Measures

2021-08-17T10:00:46+00:00

The R package econet provides methods for estimating parameter-dependent network centrality measures with linear-in-means models. Both nonlinear least squares and maximum likelihood estimators are implemented. The methods allow for both link and node heterogeneity in network effects, endogenous network formation and the presence of unconnected nodes. The routines also compare the explanatory power of parameter-dependent network centrality measures with those of standard measures of network centrality. Benefits and features of the econet package are illustrated using data from Battaglini and Patacchini (2018) and Battaglini, Leone Sciabolazza, and Patacchini (2020).

Event History Regression with Pseudo-Observations: Computational Approaches and an Implementation in R

2021-07-14T08:33:02+00:00

Due to tradition and ease of estimation, the vast majority of clinical and epidemiological papers with time-to-event data report hazard ratios from Cox proportional hazards regression models. Although hazard ratios are well known, they can be difficult to interpret, particularly as causal contrasts, in many settings. Nonparametric or fully parametric estimators allow for the direct estimation of more easily causally interpretable estimands such as the cumulative incidence and restricted mean survival. However, modeling these quantities as functions of covariates is limited to a few categorical covariates with nonparametric estimators, and often requires simulation or numeric integration with parametric estimators. Combining pseudo-observations based on non-parametric estimands with parametric regression on the pseudo-observations allows for the best of these two approaches and has many nice properties. In this paper, we develop a user friendly, easy to understand way of doing event history regression for the cumulative incidence and the restricted mean survival, using the pseudo-observation framework for estimation. The interface uses the well known formulation of a generalized linear model and allows for features including plotting of residuals, the use of sampling weights, and correct variance estimation.

More on Multidimensional Scaling and Unfolding in R: smacof Version 2

2020-07-21T19:32:26+00:00

The smacof package offers a comprehensive implementation of multidimensional scaling (MDS) techniques in R. Since its first publication (De Leeuw and Mair 2009b) the functionality of the package has been enhanced, and several additional methods, features and utilities were added. Major updates include a complete re-implementation of multidimensional unfolding allowing for monotone dissimilarity transformations, including row-conditional, circular, and external unfolding. Additionally, the constrained MDS implementation was extended in terms of optimal scaling of the external variables. Further package additions include various tools and functions for goodness-of-fit assessment, unidimensional scaling, gravity MDS, asymmetric MDS, Procrustes, and MDS biplots. All these new package functionalities are illustrated using a variety of real-life applications.