Statistical basis for pharmacometrics: maximum likelihood estimator and its asymptotics

ABSTRACT

The maximum likelihood estimator is the point estimator of the top priority in statistical data analysis because of its optimum properties for large sample size. While the maximum likelihood estimator is widely used, it has been an abstruse subject for pharmacometricians without statitics bagkround because of high dimensional calculus and asymptotic theories. This tutorial provides a general and brief introduction to the maximum likelihood estimator and its related caluculus for non-statisticians.