Bayesian model-data comparison incorporating theoretical uncertainties

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Jaiswal, Sunil, Shen, Chun, Furnstahl, Richard J., Heinz, Ulrich, Pratola, Matthew T.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Jaiswal, Sunil
Shen, Chun
Furnstahl, Richard J.
Heinz, Ulrich
Pratola, Matthew T.
author_facet Jaiswal, Sunil
Shen, Chun
Furnstahl, Richard J.
Heinz, Ulrich
Pratola, Matthew T.
contents Accurate comparisons between theoretical models and experimental data are critical for scientific progress. However, inferred physical model parameters can vary significantly with the chosen physics model, highlighting the importance of properly accounting for theoretical uncertainties. In this Letter, we present a Bayesian framework that explicitly quantifies these uncertainties by statistically modeling theory errors, guided by qualitative knowledge of a theory's varying reliability across the input domain. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach using two systems: a simple ball drop experiment and multi-stage heavy-ion simulations. In both cases incorporating model discrepancy leads to improved parameter estimates, with systematic improvements observed as additional experimental observables are integrated.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_13144
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Bayesian model-data comparison incorporating theoretical uncertainties
Jaiswal, Sunil
Shen, Chun
Furnstahl, Richard J.
Heinz, Ulrich
Pratola, Matthew T.
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Nuclear Theory
Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability
Accurate comparisons between theoretical models and experimental data are critical for scientific progress. However, inferred physical model parameters can vary significantly with the chosen physics model, highlighting the importance of properly accounting for theoretical uncertainties. In this Letter, we present a Bayesian framework that explicitly quantifies these uncertainties by statistically modeling theory errors, guided by qualitative knowledge of a theory's varying reliability across the input domain. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach using two systems: a simple ball drop experiment and multi-stage heavy-ion simulations. In both cases incorporating model discrepancy leads to improved parameter estimates, with systematic improvements observed as additional experimental observables are integrated.
title Bayesian model-data comparison incorporating theoretical uncertainties
topic High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Nuclear Theory
Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.13144