Classical and Bayesian Inference in Two Parameter Exponential Distribution with Randomly Censored Data

Abstract. This paper deals with the classical and Bayesian estimation for two parameter exponential distribution having scale and location parameters with randomly censored data. The censoring time is also assumed to follow a two parameter exponential distribution with different scale but same location parameter. The main stress is on the location parameter in this paper. This parameter has not yet been studied with random censoring in literature. Fitting and using exponential distribution on the range (0,∞), specially when the minimum observation in the data set is significantly large, will give estimates far from accurate. First we obtain the maximum likelihood estimates of the unknown parameters with their variances and asymptotic confidence intervals. Some other classical methods of estimation such as method of moment, L-moments and least squares are also employed. Next, we discuss the Bayesian estimation of the unknown parameters using Gibbs sampling procedures under generalized entropy loss function with inverted gamma priors and Highest Posterior Density credible intervals. We also consider some reliability and experimental characteristics and their estimates. A Monte Carlo simulation study is performed to compare the proposed estimates. Two real data examples are given to illustrate the importance of the location parameter.