Comparison of Bayesian and Classical Analysis of Weibull Regression Model: A Simulation Study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare performances of classical Weibull Regression Model (WRM) and Bayesian-WRM under varying conditions using Monte Carlo simulations. Material and Methods: It was simulated the generated data by running for each of classical WRM and Bayesian-WRM under varying informative priors and sample sizes using our simulation algorithm. In simulation studies, n=50, 100 and 250 were for sample sizes, and informative prior values using a normal prior distribution with was selected for b1. For each situation, 1000 simulations were performed. Results: Bayesian-WRM with proper informative prior showed a good performance with too little bias. It was found out that bias of Bayesian-WRM increased while priors were becoming distant from reliability in all sample sizes. Furthermore, Bayesian-WRM obtained predictions with more little standard error than the classical WRM in both of small and big samples in the light of proper priors. Conclusion: In this simulation study, Bayesian-WRM showed better performance than classical method, when subjective data analysis performed by considering of expert opinions and historical knowledge about parameters. Consequently, Bayesian-WRM should be preferred in existence of reliable informative priors, in the contrast cases, classical WRM should be preferred.