Parameter estimation of the multivariate unrestricted skew-normal distribution using ECM algorithm

The probability density function of the multivariate unrestricted skew-normal (SUN) distribution, corresponding to a screened normal density, allow to modeling skewness and kurtosis in data in terms of a skewness parameter vector and a truncation parameter matrix. These parameters are related to the shape and heavy-tails of the density. In this article, we present the Expectation/Conditional Maximization (ECM) algorithm for the SUN distribution based on a hierarchical stochastic representation. In addition, behavior of ECM algorithm’s steps is measured using an information theoretic approach based on Jeffrey’s divergence and related homogeneity test. Usefulness of the proposed method is illustrated by an application to Chilean economic perception data.