Characterization of distributional forms for compositional data and associated distributional tests

Abstract

A variety of approaches to the testing of distributional forms for compositional data has appeared in the literature, all based on logratio or Box-Cox transformation techniques and to a degree dependent on the divisor chosen in the formation of ratios for these transformations. This paper, recognizing the special algebraic-geometric structure of the standard simplex sample space for compositional problems, the use of the fundamental simplicial singular value decomposition, and an associated power-perturbation characterization of compositional variability, attempts to provide a definitive approach to such distributional testing problems. Our main consideration is the characterization and testing of additive logistic-normal form, but we also indicate possible applications to logistic skew normal forms once a full range of multivariate tests emerges. The testing strategy is illustrated with both simulated data and applications to some real geological compositional data sets. © 2003 International Association for Mathematical Geology.