New Technique for Finding Needles in Haystacks: Geometric Approach to Distinguishing between a New Source and Random Fluctuations

Ramani S. Pilla, Catherine Loader, and Cyrus C. Taylor
Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 230202 – Published 1 December 2005

Abstract

We propose a new test statistic based on a score process for determining the statistical significance of a putative signal that may be a small perturbation to a noisy experimental background. We derive the reference distribution for this score test statistic; it has an elegant geometrical interpretation as well as broad applicability. We illustrate the technique in the context of a model problem from high-energy particle physics. Monte Carlo experimental results confirm that the score test results in a significantly improved rate of signal detection.

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  • Received 26 May 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.230202

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Ramani S. Pilla1,*, Catherine Loader1, and Cyrus C. Taylor2

  • 1Department of Statistics, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
  • 2Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA

  • *Email address: pilla@case.edu Corresponding author. Electronic address: http//stat.case.edu/~pillar/

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Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 23 — 2 December 2005

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