A Pragmatic Bayesian Perspective on Correlation Analysis

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Figueira, P (Author) Other; Faria, JP (Author) Other; Adibekyan, VZ (Author) Other; Oshagh, M (Author) Other; N.C. Santos (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres

Vol. 46

Pages: 385-393

ISSN: 0169-6149

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

Scopus - 19 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-GMV

DOI: 10.1007/s11084-016-9490-5

Abstract (EN): We apply the Bayesian framework to assess the presence of a correlation between two quantities. To do so, we estimate the probability distribution of the parameter of interest, rho, characterizing the strength of the correlation. We provide an implementation of these ideas and concepts using python programming language and the pyMC module in a very short (similar to 130 lines of code, heavily commented) and user-friendly program. We used this tool to assess the presence and properties of the correlation between planetary surface gravity and stellar activity level as measured by the log() indicator. The results of the Bayesian analysis are qualitatively similar to those obtained via p-value analysis, and support the presence of a correlation in the data. The results are more robust in their derivation and more informative, revealing interesting features such as asymmetric posterior distributions or markedly different credible intervals, and allowing for a deeper exploration. We encourage the reader interested in this kind of problem to apply our code to his/her own scientific problems. The full understanding of what the Bayesian framework is can only be gained through the insight that comes by handling priors, assessing the convergence of Monte Carlo runs, and a multitude of other practical problems. We hope to contribute so that Bayesian analysis becomes a tool in the toolkit of researchers, and they understand by experience its advantages and limitations.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9