Book Image

Bayesian Analysis with Python - Third Edition

By : Osvaldo Martin
Book Image

Bayesian Analysis with Python - Third Edition

By: Osvaldo Martin

Overview of this book

The third edition of Bayesian Analysis with Python serves as an introduction to the main concepts of applied Bayesian modeling using PyMC, a state-of-the-art probabilistic programming library, and other libraries that support and facilitate modeling like ArviZ, for exploratory analysis of Bayesian models; Bambi, for flexible and easy hierarchical linear modeling; PreliZ, for prior elicitation; PyMC-BART, for flexible non-parametric regression; and Kulprit, for variable selection. In this updated edition, a brief and conceptual introduction to probability theory enhances your learning journey by introducing new topics like Bayesian additive regression trees (BART), featuring updated examples. Refined explanations, informed by feedback and experience from previous editions, underscore the book's emphasis on Bayesian statistics. You will explore various models, including hierarchical models, generalized linear models for regression and classification, mixture models, Gaussian processes, and BART, using synthetic and real datasets. By the end of this book, you will possess a functional understanding of probabilistic modeling, enabling you to design and implement Bayesian models for your data science challenges. You'll be well-prepared to delve into more advanced material or specialized statistical modeling if the need arises.
Table of Contents (15 chapters)
Preface
12
Bibliography
13
Other Books You May Enjoy
14
Index

6.7 Interactions

An interaction effect, or statistical interaction, happens when the effect of an independent variable on the response changes depending on the value of another independent variable. An interaction can occur between two or more variables. Some examples are:

  • Education level and income impact: Higher education may have a stronger positive effect on income for one gender compared to the other, resulting in an interaction between education and gender.

  • Medication efficacy and age: A drug that works better for older individuals than younger ones.

  • Exercise and diet effects on weight loss: It could be that the diet’s effect on weight loss is small for people who do little or no exercise and large for people who do moderate exercise.

  • Temperature and humidity for crop growth: Some crops could thrive in hot and humid conditions, while others might perform better in cooler and less humid environments.

We have an interaction when the combined effect of two or more variables...