Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 230202 (2005) [4 pages]New Technique for Finding Needles in Haystacks: Geometric Approach to Distinguishing between a New Source and Random FluctuationsReceived 26 May 2005; published 1 December 2005 We propose a new test statistic based on a score process for determining the statistical significance of a putative signal that may be a small perturbation to a noisy experimental background. We derive the reference distribution for this score test statistic; it has an elegant geometrical interpretation as well as broad applicability. We illustrate the technique in the context of a model problem from high-energy particle physics. Monte Carlo experimental results confirm that the score test results in a significantly improved rate of signal detection. © 2005 The American Physical Society URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.230202
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.230202
PACS:
02.50.Sk, 02.50.Tt, 07.05.Kf
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