On estimating the size of overcoverage with the latent class model. A critique of the paper "Population Size Estimation Using Multiple Incomplete Lists with Overcoverage" by di Cecco, di Zio, Filipponi and Rocchetti (2018, JOS 34 557-572)

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the use of latent class models for estimating overcoverage in population size studies, questioning the interpretation of model parameters and their practical usefulness.

Contribution

It provides a critique of prior work by analyzing the limitations and interpretability issues of latent class models in overcoverage estimation.

Findings

Questions the interpretability of latent class model parameters

Highlights limitations of latent class models for overcoverage estimation

Suggests need for alternative methods or careful interpretation

Abstract

We read with interest the article by di Cecco et al. (2018), but have reservations about the usefulness of the latent class model specifically for estimating overcoverage. In particular, we question the interpretation of the parameters of the fitted latent class model.