Estimation of dynamic models of recurrent events with censored data

Abstract

In this paper we consider estimation of dynamic models of recurring events (event histories) in continuous time using censored data. We develop maximum simulated likelihood estimators where missing data are integrated out using Monte Carlo and importance sampling methods. We allow for random effects and integrate out the unobserved heterogeneity using a quadrature rule. In Monte Carlo experiments, we find that maximum simulated likelihood estimation is practically feasible and performs better than both listwise deletion and auxiliary modelling of initial conditions.