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Data from: Accurately estimating correlations between demographic parameters: A comment on Deane et al. (2023)

Riecke, Thomas1; Gibson, Daniel2; Sedinger, James3

Published Sep 10, 2024 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3bk3j9kv6

Data files

Sep 10, 2024 version files 20.51 KB

Abstract

Estimating correlations among demographic parameters is an important method in population ecology. A recent paper by Deane et al. (2023) attempted to explore the effects of different priors for covariance matrices on inference when using mark-recovery data. Unfortunately, Deane et al. (2023) made a mistake when parameterizing some of their models. Rather than exploring the effects of different priors, they examined the effects of the use of incorrect equations on inference. In this manuscript, we clearly describe the mistake in Deane et al. (2023). We then demonstrate the use of an alternative and appropriate method and reach different conclusions regarding the effects of priors on inference. Consistent with other recent literature, informative inverse Wishart priors can lead to flawed inference, while vague priors on covariance matrix components have little impact when sample sizes are adequate.