Q-Markov random probability measures and their posterior distributions

Abstract

In this paper, we use the Markov property introduced in Balan and Ivanoff (J. Theor. Probab. 15, 2002, 553-588) for set-indexed processes and we prove that a Markov prior distribution leads to a Markov posterior distribution. In particular, by proving that a neutral to the right prior distribution leads to a neutral to the right posterior distribution, we extend a fundamental result of Doksum (Ann. Probab. 2,1974, 183-201) to arbitrary sample spaces.