Final Publication: Salinger, D.H., J.J. Anderson, and O.S. Hamel. 2003. A parameter estimation routine for the vitality-based survival model. Ecological Modelling 166(3): 287-294
Abstract
An algorithm is described which determines model parameters for the vitality-based survival model (Anderson 2000). The algorithm uses an MLE estimator on interval-based survival data and returns the vitality model parameters: the rate of vitality loss, the variability in the rate of vitality loss and the rate of accidental mortality. Standard errors of the parameter estimates and a Goodness-of-fit measure (via a Pearson's C test) are also returned. Issues of right censored data and study start time are addressed.