Wavelets from a Statistical Perspective

One of the chapters of the book constructs B-spline wavelets on nonequispaced knots and multiscale local polynomial transforms. In another chapter, the link between wavelets and Fourier analysis, ubiquitous in the classical approach, is explained, but without being inevitable. In further chapters the discrete wavelet transform is contrasted with the continuous version, the nondecimated (or maximal overlap) transform taking an intermediate position. An important principle in designing a wavelet analysis through the lifting scheme is finding the right balance between bias and variance. Bias and variance also play a crucial role in the nonparametric smoothing in a wavelet framework, in finding well working thresholds or other smoothing parameters. The numerous illustrations can be reproduced with the online available, accompanying software. The software and the exercises can also be used as a starting point in the further exploration of the material.