In this paper we discuss two methods for the estimation of linear dynamic factor models. The first method is behavioural in nature and consists of the least squares approximation of the observed data by means of a linear system. The second method is based on the statistical concept of principal...

Diffuse priors lead to pathological posterior behaviour when used in Bayesian analyses of Simultaneous Equation Models (SEMs). This results from the local nonidentification of certain parameters in SEMs. When this, a priori known, feature is not captured appropriately, and a posteriori favour...

Using a standard 4-variable linear vector error correction model (VECM), we first show that the null hypothesis of linearity can be strongly rejected against the alternative of smooth transition autoregressive nonlinearity. An important result from this stage of the analysis is that the...

We address the issue of time varying persistence of shocks to macroeconomic time series variables by proposing a new and parsimonious time series model. Our model assumes that this time varying persistence depends on a linear combination of lagged explanatory variables, where this combination...

To enable answering the question in the title, we introduce a bivariate censored latent effects autoregression, and discuss representation, parameter estimation, diagnostics and inference. We show that this bivariate nonlinear model is very useful for examining common nonlinearity. We apply the...

The behavioural framework has several attractions to offer for the identification of multivariable systems. Some of the variables may be left unexplained without the need for a distinction between inputs and outputs; criteria for model quality are independent of the chosen parameterization; and...

In this paper we examine the interaction between data transformation and the empirical evidence obtained when testing for (non-)linearity. For this purpose we examine nonlinear features in 64 monthly and 53 quarterly US macroeconomic variables for a range of Box-Cox data transformations. Our...

In this chapter we investigate empirical specification of smooth transition error correction models (STECMs). These models can be used to describe linear long-run relationships between nonstationary variables where adjustment towards equilibrium is nonlinear and can depend on exogenous...