Constant-partially accelerated life tests for Burr type-XII distribution with progressive type-II censoring

Based on progressively type-II censored samples, constant-partially accelerated life tests (PALTs) when the lifetime of items under use condition follow the two-parameter Burr type-XII (Burr(c,k)) distribution are considered. The likelihood equations of the involved parameters are derived and then reduced to a single nonlinear equation to be solved numerically to obtain the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the parameters. The observed Fisher information matrix, as well as the asymptotic variance-covariance matrix of the MLEs are derived. Approximate confidence intervals (CIs) for the parameters, based on normal approximation to the asymptotic distribution of MLEs, studentized-t and percentile bootstrap CIs are derived. A Monte Carlo simulation study is carried out to investigate the precision of the MLEs and to compare the performance of the CIs considered. Finally, two examples presented to illustrate our results are followed by conclusions.