prior probability distribution
Technical term in Bayesian statistics; refers to the distribution assigned to a parameter before observing data.
See also: 事前確率 (じぜんかくりつ)
In Bayesian estimation, it is necessary to set a prior probability distribution.
事前確率 is the prior probability (a single value), while 事前確率分布 is the entire distribution over possible parameter values.
事後確率分布 is the posterior probability distribution, obtained after updating the prior with observed data.
Compound of 事前 (prior, beforehand), 確率 (probability), and 分布 (distribution). A direct translation of the English statistical term.