Alternative estimation methods for survival models
In this thesis, we will address the problem of estimating the parameters of two types of three parameter survival models for the force of mortality, the Makeham model and the Weibull model. The existing methods for estimating these parameters by the method of least-squares include using a log-transformation on the force of mortality data. We will propose another method of estimating these parameters that uses linear regression, and finding the least-squares estimates of the parameters by using the golden section search procedure for computer minimization.
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