Astrostatistics

Proper statistical treatment is imperative for astrophysical data analysis. While we are typically good at mathematics and modeling, we lack some of the skills developed in the statistical literature. I have listed a collection of papers and websites that provide a starting point for different types of projects as well as safety checks before publishing.

General Statistics Papers

• Dos and don’ts of reduced chi-squared
• Understanding better (some) astronomical data using Bayesian methods
• Error estimation in astronomy: A guide

x/gamma -ray Statistics Papers

• Statistics: Handle with Care, Detecting Multiple Model Components with the Likelihood Ratio Test
• Analysis of Energy Spectra with Low Photon Counts via Bayesian Posterior Simulation
• A method for comparing non-nested models with application to astrophysical searches for new physics

Statistics Blogs

• Johannes Buchner has developed BXA and Pymultinest. Additionally, he has assembled a useful list of statistics rules. Check it out
• This blog always has some useful astrostats snark Another Astrostatistics Blog