Empirical Likelihood for Generalized Functional-Coefficient Regression Models with Multiple Smoothing Variables under Right Censoring Data

Abstract

Empirical likelihood as a nonparametric approach has been demonstrated to have many desirable merits for constructing a confidence region. The purpose of this article is to apply the empirical likelihood method to study the generalized functional-coefficient regression models with multiple smoothing variables when the response is subject to random right censoring. The coefficient functions with multiple smoothing variables can accommodate various nonlinear interaction effects between covariates. The empirical log-likelihood ratio of an unknown parameter is constructed and shown to have a standard chi-squared limiting distribution at the true parameter. Based on this, the confidence region of the unknown parameter can be constructed. Simulation studies are carried out to indicate that the empirical likelihood method performs better than a normal approximation-based approach for constructing the confidence region.