When method
is "standard"
(the default),
all parameters, other than
the lowest-level rates, probabilities, or
means are jointly estimated within TMB.
When method
is "inner-outer"
, estimation is
carried out in multiple steps, which, in large models,
can sometimes reduce computation times.
In Step 1, the data is aggregated across all dimensions other
than those specified in var_inner
, and a model
for the inner
variables is fitted to the data.
In Step 2, the data is aggregated across the
remaining variables, and a model for the
outer
variables is fitted to the data.
In Step 3, values for dispersion are calculated.
Parameter estimates from steps 1, 2, and 3
are then combined. "inner-outer"
methods are
still experimental, and may change in future.