Bayesian Model Selection with an Uninformative Prior

Bayesian model selection with posterior probabilities and no subjective prior information is generally not possible due to the Bayes factors being ill-defined. Using careful consideration of the parameter of interest in cointegration analysis and a respecifcation of the triangular model of Phillips (1991), this paper presents an approach that allows for Bayesian comparison of models of cointegration with ‘ignorance’ priors. Using the concept of Stiefel and Grassman manifolds, diffuse priors are specified on dimension and direction of the cointegrating space. The approach is illustrated using a simple term structure of interest rates model.