Graphical Estimation of the Parameters of the Stable Laws

This paper presents an easily used graphical procedure for simultaneous estimation of the index, skewness, scale, and location parameters of the stable laws. First, the index $\alpha$ and skewness $\beta$ are estimated through the joint use of a tail length statistic $\widetilde{K_t}$ and a skewness statistic $\widetilde{K_s}$, both of which are functions of order statistics. Next, the function of order statistics needed for estimation of scale $\sigma$ and location $\mu$ are determined from a nomogram indexed on the estimates of $\alpha$ and $\beta$. Some applications and examples are provided.