The discussion revolves around the validity of combining upper and lower limits from two separate experiments measuring the same quantity, particularly at the same confidence level. Participants explore whether the overall upper limit can simply be the sum of the individual upper limits or if a more complex analysis is required, including considerations of correlations and systematic errors.
Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the overall upper limit can be simply summed from individual limits. Multiple competing views remain regarding the treatment of correlations and the necessity of additional information for accurate analysis.
Participants highlight the dependence on understanding systematic errors and correlations, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.
No, definitely not. That would be a weaker limit with more data!Anchovy said:is it valid to say that the overall upper limit (at the same C.L.) is just the sum of the two individual upper limits?
Orodruin said:No, definitely not. That would be a weaker limit with more data!
In general, there might also be correlations and systematics that are the same in both experiments. You need to have more information to do a proper analysis.
Orodruin said:You would still need to know a lot more about the actual simulation in order to make a statement. In particular about the systematic errors going in.
That probably makes it more complicated, as the two values are now certainly correlated.Anchovy said:Ah, I see. Do things become much simpler if it's not actually two different experiments, but rather it's one Monte Carlo simulation, counting the same thing happening two different ways?