Includes bibliographical references and index.

"The purpose of applying mathematical theory to the theory of statistical inference is to make it simpler and more elegant. Theory of Statistical Inference is concerned with the development of a type of optimization theory which can be used to inform the choice of statistical methodology. Of course, this would be pointless without reference to such methods. We are simply noting that they are included in support of the larger goal. This book distinguishes itself from other graduate textbooks because it is written from the point of view that some degree of understanding of measure theory, as well as other branches of mathematics, which include topology, group theory and complex analysis, should be a part of the canon of statistical inference"--