Estimation of semiparametric models with errors following a scale mixture of Gaussian distributions

Abstract

In this paper we consider a semiparametric regression model where the error follows a scale mixture of Gaussian distributions. The purpose is to estimate the target function which is assumed to belong to some class of functions using the EM algorithm and approximations via P -splines and B-splines. We illustrate the proposed methodology through several simulation studies. Other forms of function approximation are also studied, namely Fourier and wavelet expansions.