Textbook
By: N Thompson Hobbs(Author), Mevin B Hooten(Author)
360 pages, 53 b/w illustrations, 6 tables
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About this book
A fully updated and expanded edition of the essential primer on Bayesian modeling for ecologists.
Uniquely suited to deal with complexity in a statistically coherent way, Bayesian modelling has become an indispensable tool for ecological research. This book teaches the basic principles of mathematics and statistics needed to apply Bayesian models to the analysis of ecological data, using language non-statisticians can understand. Deemphasizing computer coding in favour of a clear treatment of model building, it starts with a definition of probability and proceeds step-by-step through distribution theory, likelihood, simple Bayesian models, and hierarchical Bayesian models. Now revised and expanded, Bayesian Models enables students and practitioners to gain new insights from ecological models and data properly tempered by uncertainty.
- Covers the basic rules of probability needed to model diverse types of ecological data in the Bayesian framework
- Shows how to write proper mathematical expressions for posterior distributions using directed acyclic graphs as templates
- Explains how to use the powerful Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to find posterior distributions of model parameters, latent states, and missing data
- Teaches how to check models to assure they meet the assumptions of model-based inference
- Demonstrates how to make inferences from single and multiple Bayesian models
- Provides worked problems for practising and strengthening modelling skills
- Features new chapters on spatial models and modelling missing data
Customer Reviews
Biography
N. Thompson Hobbs is senior research scientist at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory and professor emeritus in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at Colorado State University. Mevin B. Hooten is professor in the Department of Statistics and Data Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin and a fellow of the American Statistical Association. His books include (with Trevor J. Hefley) Bringing Bayesian Models to Life.
Textbook
By: N Thompson Hobbs(Author), Mevin B Hooten(Author)
360 pages, 53 b/w illustrations, 6 tables
Reviews of the first edition:
"This pitch-perfect exposition shows how Bayesian modeling can be used to quantify our uncertain world. Ecologists – and for that matter, scientists everywhere – are aware of these uncertainties, and this book gives them the understanding to do something about it. Hobbs and Hooten take us on a signposted journey through the culture, construction, and consequences of conditional-probability modeling, readying us to take our own scientific journeys through uncertain landscapes."
– Noel Cressie, University of Wollongong, Australia
"Hobbs and Hooten provide a complete guide to Bayesian thinking and statistics. This is a book by ecologists for ecologists. One of the powers of Bayesian thinking is how it enables you to evaluate knowledge accumulated through multiple experiments and publications, and this excellent primer provides a firm grounding in the hierarchical models that are now the standard approach to evaluating disparate data sets."
– Ray Hilborn, University of Washington
"In this uniquely well-written and accessible text, Hobbs and Hooten show how to think clearly in a Bayesian framework about data, models, and linking data with models. They provide the necessary tools to develop, implement, and analyze a wide range of ecologically interesting models. There's something new and exciting in this book for every practicing ecologist."
– Aaron M. Ellison, Harvard University
"Hobbs and Hooten provide an important bridge between standard statistical texts and more advanced Bayesian books, even those aimed at ecologists. Ecological models are complex. Building from likelihood to simple and hierarchical Bayesian models, the authors do a superb job of focusing on concepts, from philosophy to the necessary mathematical and statistical tools. This practical and understandable book belongs on the shelves of all scientists and statisticians interested in ecology."
– Jay M. Ver Hoef, Statistician, NOAA-NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center
"Tackling an important and challenging topic, Hobbs and Hooten provide non-statistically-trained ecologists with the skills they need to use hierarchical Bayesian models accurately and comfortably. The combination of technical explanations and practical examples is great. This book is a valuable contribution that will be widely used."
– Benjamin Bolker, McMaster University
"This excellent book is one of the best-written and most complete primers on Bayesian hierarchical modeling I have seen. Hobbs and Hooten anticipate many of the common pitfalls and concerns that arise when non-statisticians are introduced to this material. Researchers across a wide range of disciplines will find this book valuable."
– Christopher Wikle, University of Missouri
