Abourizk, S M; Halpin, D W and Wilson, J R (1991) Visual interactive fitting of beta distributions. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 117(4), pp. 589-605. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This paper describes a visual interactive procedure for fitting beta distributions to activity times in a simulation model when sample data are not available for statistical analysis of the model’s input processes. Using subjective information about a given activity time the modeler specifies the activity’s minimum and maximum times together with two of the following characteristics: mode, mean, variance, or selected percentiles. The fitting procedure includes efficient methods for computing the shape parameters of the beta distribution that most nearly matches the specified characteristics. The user can manipulate the fitted distribution by either revising the specified characteristics or directly altering a visual display of the density. This fitting procedure was implemented in a public-domain microcomputer-based software system called VIBES (visual interactive beta estimation system). An example from construction engineering illustrates the operation of VIBES.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | estimation, variance, computing, construction engineering, statistical analysis, density |
| Subjects: | analytical methods, computing systems, measurement and scaling, data science, engineering methods, financial and cost management |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here