Generalized binomial distributions

Abstract

In many cases where the binomial dismbution fails to apply to real world data it is because of more variability in the data than can be explained by that dismbution. Several authors have proposed models that are useful in explaining extra-binomial variation. In this paper we point out a characterization of sequences of exchangeable Bernoulli random variables which can be used to develop models which show more variability than the binomial. We give sufficient conditions which will yield such models and show how existig models can be combined to generate further models. The usefulness of some of these models is illustrated by fitting them to sets of real data.

Keywords:

• beta-binmial distribution
• dependent trials
• exchangeable random variables
• generalized binomial distribution