Valid model-free spatial prediction

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Mao, Huiying, Martin, Ryan, Reich, Brian
Format: Preprint
Published: 2020
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author Mao, Huiying
Martin, Ryan
Reich, Brian
author_facet Mao, Huiying
Martin, Ryan
Reich, Brian
contents Predicting the response at an unobserved location is a fundamental problem in spatial statistics. Given the difficulty in modeling spatial dependence, especially in non-stationary cases, model-based prediction intervals are at risk of misspecification bias that can negatively affect their validity. Here we present a new approach for model-free nonparametric spatial prediction based on the conformal prediction machinery. Our key observation is that spatial data can be treated as exactly or approximately exchangeable in a wide range of settings. In particular, under an infill asymptotic regime, we prove that the response values are, in a certain sense, locally approximately exchangeable for a broad class of spatial processes, and we develop a local spatial conformal prediction algorithm that yields valid prediction intervals without strong model assumptions like stationarity. Numerical examples with both real and simulated data confirm that the proposed conformal prediction intervals are valid and generally more efficient than existing model-based procedures for large datasets across a range of non-stationary and non-Gaussian settings.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2006_15640
institution arXiv
publishDate 2020
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Valid model-free spatial prediction
Mao, Huiying
Martin, Ryan
Reich, Brian
Methodology
Statistics Theory
Predicting the response at an unobserved location is a fundamental problem in spatial statistics. Given the difficulty in modeling spatial dependence, especially in non-stationary cases, model-based prediction intervals are at risk of misspecification bias that can negatively affect their validity. Here we present a new approach for model-free nonparametric spatial prediction based on the conformal prediction machinery. Our key observation is that spatial data can be treated as exactly or approximately exchangeable in a wide range of settings. In particular, under an infill asymptotic regime, we prove that the response values are, in a certain sense, locally approximately exchangeable for a broad class of spatial processes, and we develop a local spatial conformal prediction algorithm that yields valid prediction intervals without strong model assumptions like stationarity. Numerical examples with both real and simulated data confirm that the proposed conformal prediction intervals are valid and generally more efficient than existing model-based procedures for large datasets across a range of non-stationary and non-Gaussian settings.
title Valid model-free spatial prediction
topic Methodology
Statistics Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.15640