Bayesian Estimation of n in a Binomial Distribution
Published Date: October 1, 1987
A method has been developed to estimate the total number of trials, 'n', from a Bayesian perspective when the probability of success, 'p', is either known or unknown. The prior distribution for 'n' is assumed to be the discrete uniform distribution. In the case when 'p' is unknown, 'p' is assumed to have a beta prior distribution. The estimate for 'n' is then the mode of the posterior distribution. Additionally, guidelines for selecting shape parameters for the beta distributions are discussed.
