Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• calculate the maximum likelihood estimator using calculus

• work with the log-likelihood instead of the likelihood itself

• understand that maximum likelihood estimation of a function of a parameter is equivalent to taking that function of the maximum likelihood estimator

• define and calculate the bias of an estimator and choose between unbiased estimators on the basis of their variances

• understand and calculate the Cramèr-Rao lower bound for the variance of any unbiased estimator.