pseudolikelihood
SOO-doh-LIKE-li-hood
Definition
A statistical method used as a simpler approximation of a full likelihood function, particularly useful when complex data, such as large-scale genomic datasets, make standard statistical calculations computationally impossible.
Etymology
The word is a combination of 'pseudo-', from the Greek 'pseudes' meaning 'false' or 'deceptive,' and 'likelihood,' a mathematical term for a probability estimate. It was coined in statistics to describe an estimation technique that acts like a true likelihood function but uses a simplified structure to remain practical.
In the news
The article mentions pseudolikelihood as a computationally efficient approach that enables researchers to analyze complex phylogenetic networks and infer evolutionary history in large groups of species. It allows for advanced genomic modeling that would otherwise be too data-intensive to perform.
Genetics and genomics of hybridization
Read the full article ↗Nature