Existence theorems of a maximum likelihood estimate from a generalized censored data sample

Summary A new type of random sample, called a generalized censored data sample, is defined. An approach to finding criteria for the existence of a maximum likelihood estiamte from a finite generalized censored data sample is presented. This approach, named the probability contents boundary analysis, gives systematically a number of practical criteria, each of which is effective for various kinds of typical distribution families in statistical analysis.