AIC, BIC, Bayesian evidence against the interacting dark energy model

Abstract

Recent astronomical observations have indicated that the Universe is in a phase of accelerated expansion. While there are many cosmological models which try to explain this phenomenon, we focus on the interacting CDM model where an interaction between the dark energy and dark matter sectors takes place. This model is compared to its simpler alternative-the CDM model. To choose between these models the likelihood ratio test was applied as well as the model comparison methods (employing Occam's principle): the Akaike information criterion (AIC), the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and the Bayesian evidence. Using the current astronomical data: type Ia supernova (Union2.1), h(z), baryon acoustic oscillation, the AlcockPaczynski test, and the cosmic microwave background data, we evaluated both models. The analyses based on the AIC indicated that there is less support for the interacting CDM model when compared to the CDM model, while those based on the BIC indicated that there is strong evidence against it in favor of the CDM model. Given the weak or almost non-existing support for the interacting CDM model and bearing in mind Occam's razor we are inclined to reject this model.

AIC and BIC for cosmological interacting scenarios

“…This is consistent with the results of Ref. [31], where the authors conclude that the particular interacting model they study is disfavored compared to CDM, also they notice that BIC is a more restrictive criteria. The model ωCDM is also incompatible with CDM with respect to BIC.…”

Transition redshift: new constraints from parametric and nonparametric methods

“…We use the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). For details see [51,52,53] AIC = χ 2 + 2P BIC = χ 2 + 2P lnd where P and d are the number of model parameters and data points in the dataset respectively. χ 2 is the minimum value of chi square.…”

Primordial universe with the running cosmological constant

“…From Table 3 the Jeffreys scale applied to the AIC statistical criterion favors the model RRG+RGE, while this model is strongly disfavored using the BIC criterium, a consequence of the large number of observational data, specially the SNIa data. This discrepancy in using the two criteria is a common feature found in the literature [54][55][56]. The contourplots with 1σ and 2σ Fig.…”