Maximizing a Family of Optimal Statistics over a Nuisance Parameter with Applications to Genetic Data Analysis

In this article, a simple algorithm is used to maximize a family of optimal statistics for hypothesis testing with a nuisance parameter not defined under the null hypothesis. This arises from genetic linkage and association studies and other hypothesis testing problems. The maximum of optimal statistics over the nuisance parameter space can be used as a robust test in this situation. Here, we use the maximum and minimum statistics to examine the sensitivity of testing results with respect to the unknown nuisance parameter. Examples from genetic linkage analysis using affected sub pairs and a candidate-gene association study in case-parents trio design are studied.