Extended negative binomial hurdle models

Abstract

Poisson models are widely used for statistical inference on count data. However, zero-inflation or zero-deflation with either overdispersion or underdispersion could occur. Currently, there is no available model for count data, that allows excessive occurrence of zeros along with underdispersion in non-zero counts, even though there have been reported necessity of such models. Furthermore, given an excessive zero rate, we need a model that allows a larger degree of overdispersion than existing models. In this paper, we use a random-effect model to produce a general statistical model for accommodating such phenomenon occurring in real data analyses.