Model detection and variable selection for varying coefficient models with longitudinal data

In this paper, we consider the problem of variable selection and model detection in varying coefficient models with longitudinal data. We propose a combined penalization procedure to select the significant variables, detect the true structure of the model and estimate the unknown regression coefficients simultaneously. With appropriate selection of the tuning parameters, we show that the proposed procedure is consistent in both variable selection and the separation of varying and constant coefficients, and the penalized estimators have the oracle property. Finite sample performances of the proposed method are illustrated by some simulation studies and the real data analysis.