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Sparse Regression under Correlation and Weak Signals: A Reproducible Benchmark of Classical and Bayesian Methods

Summary

This study benchmarks six classical and Bayesian sparse regression methods under realistic conditions of correlated features, weak signals, and growing dimensionality. Over 2,600 experiments show Bayesian methods excel in prediction error (MSE 72 vs 108-267) and coverage, while Lasso matches Spike-and-Slab in variable selection (F1 ~0.47).

SourcearXiv Machine LearningAuthor: Hao Xiao
Sparse Regression under Correlation and Weak Signals: A Reproducible Benchmark of Classical and Bayesian Methods
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[2605.00835] Sparse Regression under Correlation and Weak Signals: A Reproducible Benchmark of Classical and Bayesian Methods

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Computer Science > Machine Learning

arXiv:2605.00835 (cs)

[Submitted on 4 Apr 2026]

Title:Sparse Regression under Correlation and Weak Signals: A Reproducible Benchmark of Classical and Bayesian Methods

Authors:Hao Xiao

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Abstract:Choosing between classical and Bayesian sparse regression methods involves a real trade-off: penalized estimators like Lasso run in milliseconds but give no uncertainty estimates,while Horseshoe and Spike-and-Slab priors produce full posteriors but need MCMC chains that take minutes per this http URL few studies compare these two families head-to-head under the conditions that actually make sparse regression hard -- correlated features, weak signals, and growing dimensionality. We benchmark six methods (OLS, Ridge,Lasso, Elastic Net, Horseshoe, Spike-and-Slab) on synthetic data with three covariance structures (rho up to 0.9), four SNR levels, and p in {20, 50, 100}, plus the Diabetes dataset,totalling over 2,600 experiments. The results are clear on some points and nuanced on others. Bayesian methods win on prediction error (MSE 72 vs. 108-267), and the Horseshoe delivers near-nominal 95% coverage (94.8%). But Spike-and-Slab,despite narrower intervals, under-covers at 91.9% -- its continuous relaxation likely plays a role. For variable selection, Lasso and Spike-and-Slab tie at F1 ~ 0.47, making Lasso the practical default when posteriors are not needed. Code and data are available at this https URL.

Comments: 14 pages, 8 figures, 6 tables. Code: this https URL

Subjects:

Machine Learning (cs.LG)

Cite as: arXiv:2605.00835 [cs.LG]

(or arXiv:2605.00835v1 [cs.LG] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2605.00835

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arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite

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From: Hao Xiao [view email] [v1] Sat, 4 Apr 2026 15:46:44 UTC (71 KB)

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Key points

  • Bayesian methods achieve lower prediction error (MSE 72) compared to classical methods (108-267).
  • Horseshoe prior attains near-nominal 95% coverage (94.8%).
  • Lasso and Spike-and-Slab tie at F1 ~0.47 for variable selection.
  • Code and data are publicly available for reproducibility.

Highlights and analysis are generated automatically and may contain errors. Check the original source.