Abstract

Selecting a proper model for a data set is a challenging task. In this article, an attempt was made to answer and to find a suitable model for a given data set. A general linear model (GLM) was introduced along with three different methods for estimating the parameters of the model. The three estimation methods considered in this paper were ordinary least squares (OLS), generalized least squares (GLS), and feasible generalized least squares (FGLS). In the case of GLS, two different weights were selected for improving the severity of heteroscedasticity and the proper weight (s) was deployed. The third weight was selected through the application of FGLS. Analyses showed that only two of the three weights including the FGLS were effective in improving or reducing the severity of heteroscedasticity. In addition, each data set was divided into Training, Validation, and Testing producing a more reliable set of estimates for the parameters in the model. Partitioning data is a relatively new approach is statistics borrowed from the field of machine learning. Stepwise and forward selection methods along with a number of statistics including the average square error testing (ASE), Adj. R-Sq, AIC, AICC, and ASE validate along with proper hierarchies were deployed to select a more appropriate model(s) for a given data set. Furthermore, the response variable in both data files was transformed using the Box-Cox method to meet the assumption of normality. Analysis showed that the logarithmic transformation solved this issue in a satisfactory manner. Since the issues of heteroscedasticity, model selection, and partitioning of data have not been addressed in fisheries, for introduction and demonstration purposes only, the 2015 and 2016 shrimp data in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) were selected and the above methods were applied to these data sets. At the conclusion, some variations of the GLM were identified as possible leading candidates for the above data sets.

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