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Integrating statistical and nonstatistical audit evidence using belief functions: A case of variable sampling
Author(s) -
Srivastava Rajendra P.,
Shafer Glenn R.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
international journal of intelligent systems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.291
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1098-111X
pISSN - 0884-8173
DOI - 10.1002/int.4550090603
Subject(s) - variable (mathematics) , statistics , statistical hypothesis testing , sample (material) , standard deviation , mathematics , sample size determination , variables , function (biology) , computer science , audit , econometrics , artificial intelligence , mathematical analysis , chemistry , chromatography , evolutionary biology , biology , management , economics
The main purpose of this article is to show how one can integrate statistical and nonstatistical items of evidence in the belief function framework. First, we use the properties of consonant belief functions to define the belief that the true mean of a variable lies in a given interval when a statistical test is performed for the variable. Second, we use the above definition to determine the sample size for a statistical test when a desired level of belief is needed from the sample. Third, we determine the level of belief that the true mean lies in a given interval when a statistical test yields certain values for the sample mean and the standard deviation of the mean for the variable. Finally, we use the auditing situation to illustrate the process of integrating statistical and nonstatistical items evidence. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.