| name | alterlab-statsmodels |
| description | Statistical modeling in Python with statsmodels — OLS, GLM, mixed models, and ARIMA with detailed diagnostics, residuals, and inference. Use when fitting specific model classes for econometrics, time series, or rigorous inference with coefficient tables and confidence intervals. For guided statistical test selection with APA reporting prefer statistical-analysis. Part of the AlterLab Academic Skills suite. |
| license | MIT |
| allowed-tools | Read Write Edit Bash(python:*) Bash(uv:*) |
| compatibility | No API key required. Runs locally via `uv run python`; requires the statsmodels Python package. |
| metadata | {"skill-author":"AlterLab","version":"1.0.0"} |
Statsmodels: Statistical Modeling and Econometrics
Overview
Statsmodels is Python's premier library for statistical modeling, providing tools for estimation, inference, and diagnostics across a wide range of statistical methods. Apply this skill for rigorous statistical analysis, from simple linear regression to complex time series models and econometric analyses.
When to Use This Skill
This skill should be used when:
- Fitting regression models (OLS, WLS, GLS, quantile regression)
- Performing generalized linear modeling (logistic, Poisson, Gamma, etc.)
- Analyzing discrete outcomes (binary, multinomial, count, ordinal)
- Conducting time series analysis (ARIMA, SARIMAX, VAR, forecasting)
- Running statistical tests and diagnostics
- Testing model assumptions (heteroskedasticity, autocorrelation, normality)
- Detecting outliers and influential observations
- Comparing models (AIC/BIC, likelihood ratio tests)
- Estimating causal effects
- Producing publication-ready statistical tables and inference
Quick Start
Copy-paste starting points for OLS, logistic regression, ARIMA, GLM/Poisson, and the R-style formula API are in references/quickstart_examples.md. Core rule: always sm.add_constant() for an intercept unless you deliberately want none.
Core Statistical Modeling Capabilities
1. Linear Regression Models
Comprehensive suite of linear models for continuous outcomes with various error structures.
Available models:
- OLS: Standard linear regression with i.i.d. errors
- WLS: Weighted least squares for heteroskedastic errors
- GLS: Generalized least squares for arbitrary covariance structure
- GLSAR: GLS with autoregressive errors for time series
- Quantile Regression: Conditional quantiles (robust to outliers)
- Mixed Effects: Hierarchical/multilevel models with random effects
- Recursive/Rolling: Time-varying parameter estimation
Key features:
- Comprehensive diagnostic tests
- Robust standard errors (HC, HAC, cluster-robust)
- Influence statistics (Cook's distance, leverage, DFFITS)
- Hypothesis testing (F-tests, Wald tests)
- Model comparison (AIC, BIC, likelihood ratio tests)
- Prediction with confidence and prediction intervals
When to use: Continuous outcome variable, want inference on coefficients, need diagnostics
Reference: See references/linear_models.md for detailed guidance on model selection, diagnostics, and best practices.
2. Generalized Linear Models (GLM)
Flexible framework extending linear models to non-normal distributions.
Distribution families:
- Binomial: Binary outcomes or proportions (logistic regression)
- Poisson: Count data
- Negative Binomial: Overdispersed counts
- Gamma: Positive continuous, right-skewed data
- Inverse Gaussian: Positive continuous with specific variance structure
- Gaussian: Equivalent to OLS
- Tweedie: Flexible family for semi-continuous data
Link functions:
- Logit, Probit, Log, Identity, Inverse, Sqrt, CLogLog, Power
- Choose based on interpretation needs and model fit
Key features:
- Maximum likelihood estimation via IRLS
- Deviance and Pearson residuals
- Goodness-of-fit statistics
- Pseudo R-squared measures
- Robust standard errors
When to use: Non-normal outcomes, need flexible variance and link specifications
Reference: See references/glm.md for family selection, link functions, interpretation, and diagnostics.
3. Discrete Choice Models
Models for categorical and count outcomes.
Binary models:
- Logit: Logistic regression (odds ratios)
- Probit: Probit regression (normal distribution)
Multinomial models:
- MNLogit: Unordered categories (3+ levels)
- Conditional Logit: Choice models with alternative-specific variables
- Ordered Model: Ordinal outcomes (ordered categories)
Count models:
- Poisson: Standard count model
- Negative Binomial: Overdispersed counts
- Zero-Inflated: Excess zeros (ZIP, ZINB)
- Hurdle Models: Two-stage models for zero-heavy data
Key features:
- Maximum likelihood estimation
- Marginal effects at means or average marginal effects
- Model comparison via AIC/BIC
- Predicted probabilities and classification
- Goodness-of-fit tests
When to use: Binary, categorical, or count outcomes
Reference: See references/discrete_choice.md for model selection, interpretation, and evaluation.
4. Time Series Analysis
Comprehensive time series modeling and forecasting capabilities.
Univariate models:
- AutoReg (AR): Autoregressive models
- ARIMA: Autoregressive integrated moving average
- SARIMAX: Seasonal ARIMA with exogenous variables
- Exponential Smoothing: Simple, Holt, Holt-Winters
- ETS: Innovations state space models
Multivariate models:
- VAR: Vector autoregression
- VARMAX: VAR with MA and exogenous variables
- Dynamic Factor Models: Extract common factors
- VECM: Vector error correction models (cointegration)
Advanced models:
- State Space: Kalman filtering, custom specifications
- Regime Switching: Markov switching models
- ARDL: Autoregressive distributed lag
Key features:
- ACF/PACF analysis for model identification
- Stationarity tests (ADF, KPSS)
- Forecasting with prediction intervals
- Residual diagnostics (Ljung-Box, heteroskedasticity)
- Granger causality testing
- Impulse response functions (IRF)
- Forecast error variance decomposition (FEVD)
When to use: Time-ordered data, forecasting, understanding temporal dynamics
Reference: See references/time_series.md for model selection, diagnostics, and forecasting methods.
5. Statistical Tests and Diagnostics
Extensive testing and diagnostic capabilities for model validation.
Residual diagnostics:
- Autocorrelation tests (Ljung-Box, Durbin-Watson, Breusch-Godfrey)
- Heteroskedasticity tests (Breusch-Pagan, White, ARCH)
- Normality tests (Jarque-Bera, Omnibus, Anderson-Darling, Lilliefors)
- Specification tests (RESET, Harvey-Collier)
Influence and outliers:
- Leverage (hat values)
- Cook's distance
- DFFITS and DFBETAs
- Studentized residuals
- Influence plots
Hypothesis testing:
- t-tests (one-sample, two-sample, paired)
- Proportion tests
- Chi-square tests
- Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis)
- ANOVA (one-way, two-way, repeated measures)
Multiple comparisons:
- Tukey's HSD
- Bonferroni correction
- False Discovery Rate (FDR)
Effect sizes and power:
- Cohen's d, eta-squared
- Power analysis for t-tests, proportions
- Sample size calculations
Robust inference:
- Heteroskedasticity-consistent SEs (HC0-HC3)
- HAC standard errors (Newey-West)
- Cluster-robust standard errors
When to use: Validating assumptions, detecting problems, ensuring robust inference
Reference: See references/stats_diagnostics.md for comprehensive testing and diagnostic procedures.
Formula API, Model Selection, Workflows
- R-style formula API (
smf.ols, smf.logit, smf.poisson, interactions, C(), I()) → references/quickstart_examples.md.
- Model selection and comparison (AIC/BIC tables, likelihood ratio test for nested models, k-fold cross-validation) →
references/model_selection.md.
- Best practices, end-to-end workflows (OLS, logistic, count, time series), and common pitfalls →
references/workflows_and_practices.md.
Routing Guidance
- Linear/continuous outcome, inference + diagnostics → Capability 1 +
references/linear_models.md.
- Non-normal outcome, flexible link/variance → Capability 2 +
references/glm.md.
- Binary, categorical, or count outcome → Capability 3 +
references/discrete_choice.md.
- Time-ordered data, forecasting → Capability 4 +
references/time_series.md.
- Validating assumptions, testing, robust inference → Capability 5 +
references/stats_diagnostics.md.
- Choosing between candidate models →
references/model_selection.md.
References Index
references/quickstart_examples.md — copy-paste OLS / Logit / ARIMA / GLM examples and the R-style formula API.references/linear_models.md — OLS, WLS, GLS, GLSAR, quantile, mixed effects, recursive/rolling; diagnostics, influence, robust SEs, hypothesis testing.references/glm.md — all distribution families, link functions, interpretation, pseudo R-squared, residual analysis.references/discrete_choice.md — binary (Logit/Probit), multinomial, count (Poisson/NB/ZIP/ZINB/hurdle), ordinal, marginal effects.references/time_series.md — AR/ARIMA/SARIMAX/ETS, VAR/VARMAX/dynamic factor, state space, stationarity, forecasting, Granger/IRF/FEVD.references/stats_diagnostics.md — residual diagnostics, influence/outliers, parametric and non-parametric tests, ANOVA, multiple comparisons, robust covariances, power/effect sizes.references/model_selection.md — AIC/BIC comparison, likelihood ratio test, cross-validation.references/workflows_and_practices.md — best practices, end-to-end workflows, common pitfalls, search patterns, official docs links.
