Maximum Likelihood Estimation in the Weibull Distribution Based on Complete and on Censored Samples

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the two-parameter Weibull distribution which is widely employed as a model in life testing. Maximum likelihood equations are derived for estimating the distribution parameters from (i) complete samples, (ii) singly censored samples and (iii) progressively (multiple) censored samples. Asymptotic variance-covariance matrices are given for each of these sample types. An illustrative example is included.