I have two models exactly similar, but I’m using a Poisson distribution for one and a Bernoulli distribution for the other. Can I trust the information coming out of loo?
The Bernoulli model comes on top.
rbpa <- brm(status ~ ... , family = poisson(), prior = set_prior('normal(0, 4)', class = 'b'), cores = 6, iter = 4000)
rbba <- brm(status ~ ... , family = bernoulli ,prior(normal(0, 4), class = b), cores = 6, iter = 4000)
loo(rbpa,rbba)
Status is if my individual was harvested or not .
- Operating System: Windows 10
- brms Version: 2.16.3
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Hey there!
If the outcome is binary [0,1], personally, I’d always go for the Bernoulli model. A Poisson model would not be representative of the generative process of the data, as it could result in predictions such as status=2 or status=15.
Besides that, there was some discussion about whether you could compare loo on models with different likelihoods for the observational model here – can’t find it right now. If you follow Richard McElreath’s Statistical Rethinking, you shouldn’t do it. But IIRC, @avehtari might have a different view?
Cheers,
Max
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@Max_Mantei has a good point that if the outcome is binary, then Poisson is not a good choice anyway
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