On Statistical Estimation in Physics

M. Annis; W. Cheston; H. Primakoff

doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.25.818

On Statistical Estimation in Physics

M. Annis, W. Cheston, and H. Primakoff

Rev. Mod. Phys. 25, 818 – Published 1 October 1953

Abstract

The problem of the estimation of parameters determined statistically from physical measurements is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental role played by the prior probability distribution for the parameter. The validity of "maximum likelihood" estimation is examined with particular reference to the case of the estimation of a parameter which actually has an unique but (originally) unknown magnitude. Situations in which the prior probability distribution for the parameter is completely unknown are treated and a method is described for the calculation of this distribution from appropriate experimental data. Many examples are given throughout from the field of cosmic radiation.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.25.818

Authors & Affiliations

M. Annis^*,‡, W. Cheston^†,‡, and H. Primakoff

Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

^*Present address: Institute of Physics, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
^†Present address: Department of Physics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
^‡Assisted by the joint program of the U. S. Office of Naval Research and the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission.