"Any efforts to visualize multivariate densities will necessarily involve the use of cross sections or, equivalently, conditional densities. Distributions that are completely specified in terms of conditional densities are the focus of this book. They form flexible families of multivariate densities that provide natural extensions of many classical multivariate models. They are also used in any modeling situation where conditional information is completely or partially available. In the context of eliciting appropriate priors for multiparameter problems in Bayesian analysis, conditionally specified distributions are particularly convenient. They are effectively tailor-made for Gibbs sampler posterior simulations. All researchers, not just Bayesians, seeking more flexible models than those provided by classical models will find conditionally specified distributions of interest."--BOOK JACKET. "This book assumes an introductory course in statistical theory and some familiarity with calculus of several variables, matrix theory, and elementary Markov chain concepts."--BOOK JACKET.