A Bayesian approach to inference about a change-point in a sequence of random variables

Abstract

A Bayesian approach is considered to the problem of making inferences about the point in a sequence of random variables at which the underlying distribution changes. Inferences are based on the posterior probabilities of the possible change-points. Detailed analyses are given for cases in which the distributions are binomial and normal, and numerical illustrations are provided. An informal sequential procedure is also noted.