A Markov Chain Genetic Algorithm Approach for Non-Parametric Posterior Distribution Sampling of Regression Parameters

Abstract

This paper proposes a genetic algorithm-based Markov Chain approach that can be used for non-parametric estimation of regression coefficients and their statistical confidence bounds. The proposed approach can generate samples from an unknown probability density function if a formal functional form of its likelihood is known. The approach is tested in the non-parametric estimation of regression coefficients, where the least-square minimizing function is considered the maximum likelihood of a multivariate distribution. This approach has an advantage over traditional Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods because it is proven to converge and generate unbiased samples computationally efficiently.