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Robust factor analysis using the multivariate \(t\)-distribution. (English) Zbl 1285.62068

Summary: Factor analysis is a standard method for multivariate analysis. The sampling model in the most popular factor analysis is Gaussian and has thus often been criticized for its lack of robustness. A simple robust extension of the Gaussian factor analysis model is obtained by replacing the multivariate Gaussian distribution with a multivariate t-distribution. We develop computational methods for both maximum likelihood estimation and Bayesian estimation of the factor analysis model. The proposed methods include the ECME and PX-EM algorithms for maximum likelihood estimation and Gibbs sampling methods for Bayesian inference. Numerical examples show that use of multivariate t-distribution improves the robustness for the parameter estimation in factor analysis.

MSC:

62H25 Factor analysis and principal components; correspondence analysis
62F15 Bayesian inference
62H12 Estimation in multivariate analysis
62H10 Multivariate distribution of statistics
65C60 Computational problems in statistics (MSC2010)