Isotropic randomization for one-sample testing in metric spaces

Abstract

We address the problem of testing hypotheses about a specific value of the Fréchet mean in metric spaces, extending classical mean testing from Euclidean spaces to more general settings. We extend an Euclidean testing procedure progresively, starting with test construction in Riemannian manifolds, leveraging their natural geometric structure through exponential and logarithm maps, and then extend to general metric spaces through the introduction of admissible randomization techniques. This approach preserves essential geometric properties required for valid statistical inference while maintaining broad applicability. We establish theoretical guarantees for our testing procedure and demonstrate its effectiveness through numerical experiments across different metric spaces and distributional settings. The practical utility of our method is further illustrated through an application to wind data in western Denmark, showcasing its relevance for real-world statistical analysis.