This monograph addresses two quite different topics, each being able to shed light on the other. Firstly, it lays the foundation for a particular view of the bootstrap. Secondly, it gives an account of Edgeworth expansion. The first two chapters deal with the bootstrap and Edgeworth expansion respectively, while chapters 3 and 4 bring these two themes together, using Edgeworth expansion to explore and develop the properties of the bootstrap. The book is aimed at graduate level for those with some exposure to the methods of theoretical statistics. However, technical details are delayed until the last chapter such that mathematically able readers without knowledge of the rigorous theory of probability will have no trouble understanding most of the book.

INTRODUCTION 1) Introduction In 1979, Efron introduced the bootstrap method as a kind of universal tool to obtain approximation of the distribution of statistics. The now well known underlying idea is the following : consider a sample X of Xl ' n independent and identically distributed H.i.d.) random variables (r. v,'s) with unknown probability measure (p.m.) P . Assume we are interested in approximating the distribution of a statistical functional T(P ) the -1 nn empirical counterpart of the functional T(P) , where P n := n l:i=l aX. is 1 the empirical p.m. Since in some sense P is close to P when n is large, n • • LLd. from P and builds the empirical p.m. if one samples Xl ' ... , Xm n n -1 mn • • P T(P ) conditionally on := mn l: i =1 a • ' then the behaviour of P m n,m n n n X. 1 T(P ) should imitate that of when n and mn get large. n This idea has lead to considerable investigations to see when it is correct, and when it is not. When it is not, one looks if there is any way to adapt it.

The jackknife and bootstrap are the most popular data-resampling meth ods used in statistical analysis. The resampling methods replace theoreti cal derivations required in applying traditional methods (such as substitu tion and linearization) in statistical analysis by repeatedly resampling the original data and making inferences from the resamples. Because of the availability of inexpensive and fast computing, these computer-intensive methods have caught on very rapidly in recent years and are particularly appreciated by applied statisticians. The primary aims of this book are (1) to provide a systematic introduction to the theory of the jackknife, the bootstrap, and other resampling methods developed in the last twenty years; (2) to provide a guide for applied statisticians: practitioners often use (or misuse) the resampling methods in situations where no theoretical confirmation has been made; and (3) to stimulate the use of the jackknife and bootstrap and further devel opments of the resampling methods. The theoretical properties of the jackknife and bootstrap methods are studied in this book in an asymptotic framework. Theorems are illustrated by examples. Finite sample properties of the jackknife and bootstrap are mostly investigated by examples and/or empirical simulation studies. In addition to the theory for the jackknife and bootstrap methods in problems with independent and identically distributed (Li.d.) data, we try to cover, as much as we can, the applications of the jackknife and bootstrap in various complicated non-Li.d. data problems.

Explores the application of bootstrap to problems that place unusual demands on the method. The bootstrap method, introduced by Bradley Efron in 1973, is a nonparametric technique for inferring the distribution of a statistic derived from a sample. Most of the papers were presented at a special meeting sponsored by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics and the Interface Foundation in May, 1990.

Emphasizing the impact of computer software and computational technology on econometric theory and development, this text presents recent advances in the application of computerized tools to econometric techniques and practices—focusing on current innovations in Monte Carlo simulation, computer-aided testing, model selection, and Bayesian methodology for improved econometric analyses.