Robust feature screening for varying coefficient models via quantile partial correlation

This article is concerned with feature screening for varying coefficient models with ultrahigh-dimensional predictors. We propose a new sure independence screening method based on quantile partial correlation (QPC-SIS), which is quite robust against outliers and heavy-tailed distributions. Then we establish the sure screening property for the QPC-SIS, and conduct simulations to examine its finite sample performance. The results of simulation study indicate that the QPC-SIS performs better than other methods like sure independent screening (SIS), sure independent ranking and screening, distance correlation-sure independent screening, conditional correlation sure independence screening and nonparametric independent screening, which shows the validity and rationality of QPC-SIS.