title: Estimating regression models with unknown break-points.
abstract: This paper deals with fitting piecewise terms in regression models where one or more break-points are true parameters of the model. For estimation, a simple linearization technique is called for, taking advantage of the linear formulation of the problem. As a result, the method is suitable for any regression model with linear predictor and so current software can be used; threshold modelling as function of explanatory variables is also allowed. Differences between the other procedures available are shown and relative merits discussed. Simulations and two examples are presented to illustrate the method.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Statistica Sociale, Scienze Demografiche e Biometriche, Facoltà di Economia, Università di Palermo, 90121 Palermo, Italy. vito.muggeo@giustizia.it
authors.forename: Vito M R
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Muggeo
mesh_terms: D001991:Bronchitis / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004391:Dust; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D004391:Dust