Graphical outputs and Spatial Cross-validation for the R-INLA package using INLAutils

Abstract

Statistical analyses proceed by an iterative process of model fitting and checking. The R-INLA package facilitates this iteration by fitting many Bayesian models much faster than alternative MCMC approaches. As the interpretation of results and model objects from Bayesian analyses can be complex, the R package INLAutils provides users with easily accessible, clear and customisable graphical summaries of model outputs from R- INLA. Furthermore, it offers a function for performing and visualizing the results of a spatial leave-one-out cross-validation (SLOOCV) approach that can be applied to compare the predictive performance of multiple spatial models. In this paper, we describe and illustrate the use of (1) graphical summary plotting functions and (2) the SLOOCV approach. We conclude the paper by identifying the limits of our approach and discuss future potential improvements.