A Pathway Idea for Model Building

A. M. Mathai, McGill University

Abstract

Models, mathematical or stochastic, which move from one functional form to another through pathway parameters, so that in between stages can be captured, are examined in this article. Models which move from generalized type-1 beta family to type-2 beta family, to generalized gamma family to generalized Mittag-Leffler family to Lévy distributions are examined here. It is known that one can likely find an approximate model for the data at hand whether the data are coming from biological, physical, engineering, social sciences or other areas. Different families of functions are connected through the pathway parameters and hence one will find a suitable member from within one of the families or in between stages of two families. Graphs are provided to show the movement of the different models showing thicker tails, thinner tails, right tail cut off etc.