stationary stochastic process

9.9

A random sequence whose statistical properties stay the same over time

noun
/ˈsteɪʃəˌnɛri stəˈkæstɪk ˈproʊsɛs/

Specialized

: proceso estocástico estacionario

A white noise sequence is a classic example of a stationary stochastic process in statistics.

Examples

Economists often analyze whether time series exhibit the characteristics of a stationary stochastic process.
The model assumes the underlying data is generated by a stationary stochastic process.
A stationary stochastic process is essential in time series analysis.
Researchers often analyze stationary stochastic processes in economics.
Economists often analyze whether time series exhibit the characteristics of a stationary stochastic process.
A white noise sequence is a classic example of a stationary stochastic process in statistics.
The model assumes the underlying data is generated by a stationary stochastic process.

Surface Forms

stationary stochastic process singular

stationary stochastic processes plural

Morphology

stationary + stochastic + process

A learner who knows 'stationary' (unchanging/not moving), 'stochastic' (random) and 'process' (a sequence of events) can plausibly infer a random sequence that does not change over time, so the core idea is compositionally recoverable. However, the phrase relies on technical senses—'stationary' meaning 'statistical/time-invariant properties' and 'stochastic' as a technical term—so finer-grained meaning requires domain knowledge and is not fully predictable at B1.

Etymology

Stationary stochastic process comes from two simple ideas: stationary means 'not changing' and stochastic process means a series of 'random' events over time. Imagine a radio that makes random beeps but keeps the same loudness and pattern every hour, so the sounds are random but the rules stay the same. So, a stationary stochastic process is a random series whose average and amount of variation stay the same over time.