Improved prediction intervals for stochastic process models

This paper reviews some recent results on the construction of improved prediction limits for time series models and presents a simple solution based on a fully conditional approach. A prediction limit, expressed as a modification of the estimative one, is obtained so that its conditional and unconditional coverage probability equals the target value to third-order accuracy. Although the specification of the ancillary statistic is not required, it respects the conditionality principle, to the relevant order of approximation. Moreover, the corresponding predictive density is specified in a relatively simple closed form. Simple examples show the usefulness of this conditional approach to prediction. Copyright 2004 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.