Diagnostics for the Homogeneity of Capture Probabilities in Capture-Recapture Experiments
Changxuan Mao and Bruce G. Lindsay
In capture-recapture studies, the capture probabilities often vary with individuals. Three graphic diagnostic procedures are developed to de- tect the existence of heterogeneity of capture probabilities. They are log ratio plot, residual plot and gradient plot. Con dence bands are available for all three plots. The sign sequence of the empirical residual function is also an indicator of heterogeneity. The dispersion score test is developed to test homogeneity of capture probabilities. Four examples from epidemiology and ecology are studied for illustration.
Key WordsPopulation size; Number of species; Binomial mixture; Het- erogeneity.