Statistical Inference for the Weibull Distribution Based on delta-Record Data

Abstract

We consider the maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation of parameters and prediction of future records of the Weibull distribution from delta-record data, which consists of records and near-records. We discuss existence, consistency and numerical computation of estimators and predictors. The performance of the proposed methodology is assessed by Montecarlo simulations and the analysis of monthly rainfall series. Our conclusion is that inferences for the Weibull model, based on delta-record data, clearly improve inferences based solely on records. This methodology can be recommended, more so as near-records can be collected along with records, keeping essentially the same experimental design.