Binomial thinning models for integer time series

This article considers some simple observation-driven time series models for counts. We provide a brief description of the class of integer-valued autoregressive (INAR) and integer-valued moving average (INMA) processes. These classes of models may be attractive when the data exhibit a significant serial dependence structure. We, therefore, briefly review various testing procedures useful for assessing the serial correlation in the data. Once it is established that the data are not serially independent, suitable INAR or INMA processes may be employed to model the data. in the important first order INAR model, we discuss various methods of estimating the structural parameters of the process. We also give a short account of the extension of some of these estimation procedures to second order INAR models. Moving average counterparts of both models are also entertained. Throughout, the models and methods are illustrated in the context of a famous data set from the branching process literature that turns out to be surprisingly difficult to model satisfactorily.