Optimal Sequential Search: A Bayesian Approach
Assaf, David ; Zamir, Shmuel
Ann. Statist., Tome 13 (1985) no. 1, p. 1213-1221 / Harvested from Project Euclid
To the classical model of searching for one object out of $n$, we add uncertainty about the parameters $\mathbf{\pi}$ of the distribution of the $n$ objects among the $m$ boxes. Adopting a Bayesian approach, we study the optimal sequential search strategy. For the case $n = 1$, we obtain a generalization of the fundamental result of Blackwell: the strategy which searches at each stage in the "most inviting" box is optimal. This strategy is also optimal for $m = 2$ and arbitrary $n$. However, for $n > 1$ the optimal strategy may be very different from that of the classical model, even when the uncertainty about $\mathbf{\pi}$ is very small.
Publié le : 1985-09-14
Classification:  Optimal sequential search,  most inviting strategy,  Bayesian approach,  90B40
@article{1176349665,
     author = {Assaf, David and Zamir, Shmuel},
     title = {Optimal Sequential Search: A Bayesian Approach},
     journal = {Ann. Statist.},
     volume = {13},
     number = {1},
     year = {1985},
     pages = { 1213-1221},
     language = {en},
     url = {http://dml.mathdoc.fr/item/1176349665}
}
Assaf, David; Zamir, Shmuel. Optimal Sequential Search: A Bayesian Approach. Ann. Statist., Tome 13 (1985) no. 1, pp.  1213-1221. http://gdmltest.u-ga.fr/item/1176349665/