The aim of this research is to perform a Bayesian characterization of the Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium through the Bayes factor. The methodology is tested by using both simulation study and actual data. It was used the following priors for the Bayesian models: Dirichlet (model 1), beta - step uniform function (model 2), uniform - step uniform function (model 3) and independent uniforms for the inbreeding coefficients and allele frequencies (model 4). Metropolis-Hasting algorithms were implemented using the software R to simulate multiple draws from the posterior distribution. Convergence of the Metropolis-Hasting algorithms was assessed by many methods available at R package BOA. Results showed that the model 1 presents the best performance for both simulation study and actual data. The results also showed that the Bayesian approach provides models that are useful for the analysis of the Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium and inbreeding coefficient.
Bayes factor; Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium; simulation
