Specify the estimation methods for Nonparametric Distribution Analysis (Arbitrary Censoring)

Stat > Reliability/Survival > Distribution Analysis (Arbitrary Censoring) > Nonparametric Distribution Analysis > Estimate

Estimation Method

Turnbull: Estimate the parameters using the Turnbull method. Minitab displays a survival function plot based on Turnbull estimates.
Actuarial: Estimate the parameters using the actuarial method. Minitab displays a hazard function plot and survival function plot based on actuarial estimates.

Estimate survival probabilities: Estimate the proportion of units that survive beyond a given time. Use these values to determine whether your product meets reliability requirements or to compare the reliability of two or more designs of a product. For more information, go to What is the survival probability?
Estimate cumulative failure probabilities: Estimate the likelihood that units fail before a given time. The cumulative failure probability is 1 minus the survival probability.

Confidence level: Enter a confidence level between 0 and 100. Usually a confidence level of 95% works well. A 95% confidence level indicates that you can be 95% confident that the interval contains the true population parameter. That is, if you collected 100 random samples from the population, you could expect approximately 95 of the samples to produce intervals that contain the actual value for the population parameter (if all the data could be collected and analyzed).; A lower confidence level, such as 90%, produces a narrower confidence interval and may reduce the sample size or testing time that is required. However, the likelihood that the confidence interval contains the population parameter decreases.; A higher confidence level, such as 99%, increases the likelihood that the confidence interval contains the population parameter. However, the test may require a larger sample size or a longer testing time to obtain a confidence interval that is narrow enough to be useful.
Confidence intervals: From the drop-down list, indicate whether you want Minitab to display a two-sided confidence interval (Two-sided) or a one-sided confidence interval (Lower bound or Upper bound). A one-sided interval generally requires fewer observations and less testing time to be statistically confident about the conclusion. Many reliability standards are defined in terms of the worst-case scenario, which is represented by a lower bound.