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What does the proof of Birnbaum's theorem prove?

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arxiv 1302.5468 v1 pith:N56L5VWH submitted 2013-02-22 math.ST stat.TH

classification math.STstat.TH
keywords resultbirnbaumconditionalitysufficiencytheoremdoubtshypothesisprinciples
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Birnbaum's theorem, that the sufficiency and conditionality principles entail the likelihood principle, has engendered a great deal of controversy and discussion since the publication of the result in 1962. In particular, many have raised doubts as to the validity of this result. Typically these doubts are concerned with the validity of the principles of sufficiency and conditionality as expressed by Birnbaum. Technically it would seem, however, that the proof itself is sound. In this paper we use set theory to formalize the context in which the result is proved and show that in fact Birnbaum's theorem is incorrectly stated as a key hypothesis is left out of the statement. When this hypothesis is added, we see that sufficiency is irrelevant, and that the result is dependent on a well-known flaw in conditionality that renders the result almost vacuous.

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Cited by 1 Pith paper

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  1. Measuring Statistical Evidence: A Short Report

    stat.ME 2024-11 unverdicted novelty 2.0 of 10

    A report summarizing and motivating the Relative Belief Ratio framework for statistical evidence, adding one unproven modification to strength-of-evidence measurement.

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