A Theory of Bootstrap Coverage Calibration for Generalized Posterior Credible Sets

Abstract

Generalized posteriors replace the likelihood by an exponentiated empirical criterion, but their credible sets generally lack asymptotic justification for frequentist coverage. General posterior calibration selects a scalar learning rate by estimating coverage with the bootstrap. Using Edgeworth expansions under regular fixed-dimensional asymptotics, we derive higher-order coverage expansions and analyze the stochastic approximation step used in the implemented algorithm. For a fixed nominal level, the root of the bootstrap coverage equation is consistent under a uniform coverage approximation and local identification. The higher-order expansions separate two sources of coverage error: the sampling Edgeworth correction for the estimator and the posterior Edgeworth correction for credible set boundaries, centres, and shapes. A scalar learning rate can calibrate all nominal levels in the Gaussian limit only when the posterior covariance and the sampling covariance are proportional. Hence, bootstrap calibration is a level-specific scale correction, not a remedy for general shape misspecification.