We compare the Bayesian and classical approaches to the computation of upper limits to rare processes in the presence of background. The comparison is done using a Monte Carlo test, free of Bayesian assumptions. The test shows that the Bayesian calculation is always conservative; this allows its use in the cases where the classical calculation is difficult to perform. The application to the Higgs search at LEP is discussed.
Evaluation of the upper limit to rare processes in the presence of background, and comparison between the Bayesian and classical approaches / Innocente, Vincenzo; Lista, Luca. - In: NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH. SECTION A, ACCELERATORS, SPECTROMETERS, DETECTORS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. - ISSN 0168-9002. - 340:2(1994), pp. 396-399. [10.1016/0168-9002(94)90118-X]
Evaluation of the upper limit to rare processes in the presence of background, and comparison between the Bayesian and classical approaches
Lista, Luca
1994
Abstract
We compare the Bayesian and classical approaches to the computation of upper limits to rare processes in the presence of background. The comparison is done using a Monte Carlo test, free of Bayesian assumptions. The test shows that the Bayesian calculation is always conservative; this allows its use in the cases where the classical calculation is difficult to perform. The application to the Higgs search at LEP is discussed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.