simulating categorical predictors

[karinorman]

Hello,

I'm interested in simulating datasets using simOcc and simTOcc where one of the covariates for beta is categorical, and the number of sites for each category can be enforced. Am I understanding correctly that currently these functions only simulate continuous normally distributed covariates, and if so would you be open to extensions that would make other kinds of covariates possible?

Thanks so much for your clarification,

Kari

[doserjef]

Hi Kari,

Very sorry for the delay in responding, you caught me at a busy time. You are correct in your interpretation that only continuous occupancy covariates can be simulated in both of those functions. I am certainly open to extensions that would make this type of simulation possible, but I likely won't be able to get to that for a while. If you or someone else seeing this wants to try and add this in, that would certainly be welcome! If you take a look at the simOcc.R source code, the occupancy covariates are simulated in the section titled "Form occupancy covariates (if any)". This is where the modification would take place to add in categorical variables. Of course, you could also just take the code from simOcc.R (or simTOcc.R) and then modify it for your own use without having to then try and add the extensions to the package.

Sorry I can't be more help at the minute, but I'll leave this open in case anyone wants to try and tackle the enhancement.

Jeff

[karinorman]

Thanks so much Jeff, I did indeed end up adapting some of your source code for my more specific application. Thanks for the head start and the wonderful resources in your documentation.

Kari