Abstract

The random weighting (RW) approach, recognized as a flexible alternative to

the classical bootstrap method, has been widely employed for approximating the

distribution of parameter estimates. Nevertheless, existing theoretical results for

the RW approach primarily address scenarios where the parameter dimension

remains fixed.

In this paper, we investigate the RW method of M-estimators

under general parametric models with increasing dimensions. We establish that

the RW estimator has the same asymptotic distribution as that of the parameter M-estimate, which suggests that statistical inference regarding the parameter

M-estimate can proceed without estimating nuisance parameters involved in its

asymptotic distribution. Statistical properties of the RW estimator, such as the

Bahadur representation and convergence rate, are also established. Furthermore,

we illustrate the applicability of our theoretical findings through several concrete

models, including linear regression, logistic regression, and spatial median estimation for multivariate data. Simulation studies and real data analysis demonstrate

the superior performance of the proposed RW method.

Information

Preprint No.SS-2025-0132
Manuscript IDSS-2025-0132
Complete AuthorsRuixing Ming, Chengyao Yu, Min Xiao, Zhanfeng Wang
Corresponding AuthorsZhanfeng Wang
Emailszfw@ustc.edu.cn

References

  1. Chen, K., Z. Ying, H. Zhang, and L. Zhao (2008). Analysis of least absolute deviation. Biometrika 95(1), 107–122.
  2. Chernozhukov, V., D. Chetverikov, K. Kato, and Y. Koike (2023). High-dimensional data bootstrap. Annual Review of Statistics and Its Application 10(1), 427–449.
  3. Cui, W., K. Li, Y. Yang, and Y. Wu (2008). Random weighting method for cox’s proportional hazards model. Science in China Series A: Mathematics 51(10), 1843–1854.
  4. Efron, B. (1979). Bootstrap methods: another look at the jackknife. The Annals of Statistics 7(1), 1–26.
  5. El Karoui, N. and E. Purdom (2018). Can we trust the bootstrap in high-dimensions? the case of linear models. Journal of Machine Learning Research 19(5), 1–66.
  6. Fang, Y. and L. Zhao (2006). Approximation to the distribution of lad estimators for censored regression by random weighting method. Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference 136(4), 1302–1316.
  7. Han, M., Y. Lin, W. Liu, and Z. Wang (2024). Robust inference for subgroup analysis with general transformation models. Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference 229, 106100.
  8. He, X. and Q. Shao (2000). On parameters of increasing dimensions. Journal of Multivariate Analysis 73(1), 120–135.
  9. Huber, P. J. (1992). Robust estimation of a location parameter. In Breakthroughs in statistics: Methodology and distribution, pp. 492–518. Springer.
  10. Lam, H. and Z. Liu (2023). Bootstrap in high dimension with low computation. In International Conference on Machine Learning, pp. 18419–18453. PMLR.
  11. Lo, A. Y. (1987). A large sample study of the bayesian bootstrap. The Annals of Statistics 15(1), 360–375.
  12. Powell, J. L. (1984). Least absolute deviations estimation for the censored regression model. Journal of Econometrics 25(3), 303–325.
  13. Rao, C. R. and L. Zhao (1992). Approximation to the distribution of m-estimates in linear models by randomly weighted bootstrap. Sankhy¯a: The Indian Journal of Statistics, Series A 54(3), 323–331.
  14. Rubin, D. B. (1981). The bayesian bootstrap. The Annals of Statistics 9(1), 130–134.
  15. Shao, J. and D. Tu (2012). The jackknife and bootstrap. Springer Science & Business Media.
  16. Tu, D. and Z. Zheng (1987). The edgeworth expansion for the random weighting method. Chinese Journal of Applied Probability and Statistics 3(4), 340–347.
  17. Wang, Z., T. Li, L. Xiao, and D. Tu (2023). A threshold longitudinal tobit quantile regression model for identification of treatment-sensitive subgroups based on interval-bounded longitudinal measurements and a continuous covariate. Statistics in Medicine 42(25), 4618–4631.
  18. Wang, Z., Y. Wu, and L. Zhao (2009). Approximation by randomly weighting method in censored regression model. Science in China Series A: Mathematics 52(3), 561–576.
  19. Wang, Z., H. Xu, H. Liu, H. Song, and D. Tu (2022). A joint model for longitudinal outcomes with potential ceiling and floor effects and survival times, with applications to analysis of quality of life data from a cancer clinical trial. Stat 11(1), e412.
  20. Wang, Z., S. Yao, and Y. Wu (2018). A randomly weighting approximation approach for twotailed censored regression model. Scientia Sinica Mathematica 48(7), 955–968.
  21. Weng, C.-S. (1989). On a second-order asymptotic property of the bayesian bootstrap mean. The Annals of Statistics 17(2), 705–710.
  22. Wu, X., Y. Yang, and L. Zhao (2007). Approximation by random weighting method for m-test in linear models. Science in China Series A: Mathematics 50(1), 87–99.
  23. Wu, Y. and L. Zhao (1999). A large sample study of randomly weighted bootstrap in linear models. Science in China Series A: Mathematics 42(10), 1066–1074.
  24. Xiao, L., B. Hou, Z. Wang, and Y. Wu (2014). Random weighting approximation for tobit regression models with longitudinal data. Computational Statistics & Data Analysis 79, 235–247.
  25. Xiao, P., X. Liu, A. Li, and G. Pan (2024). Distributed inference for the quantile regression model based on the random weighted bootstrap. Information Sciences 680, 121172.
  26. Zheng, Z. (1987). Random weighting method. Acta Mathematicae Applicatae Sinica (in Chinese) 10(2), 247–253. Ruixing Ming

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Characteristic & Preponderant Discipline

of Key Construction Universities in Zhejiang Province (Zhejiang Gongshang

University-Statistics) and the Collaborative Innovation Center of Statistical Data Engineering Technology & Application, and the National Science

Foundation of China (No. 12371277, No. 12231017).

Supplementary Materials

The supplementary material contains the proofs of all theorems, propositions, and corollaries, as well as the details of the simulations.


Supplementary materials are available for download.