Comparison of parameter estimation methods of the two-parameter Weibull distribution

In this paper, four-parameter estimation methods of the two-parameter Weibull distribution were compared. There are various methods for the estimation of parameters of distribution in statistical hydrology for frequency analysis. These methods consist of the method of moments, maximum likelihood, least squares and probability-weighted moments. For comparing the mentioned methods, 57 models were formed. The results show that the best method among the four were least squares (in 44 models), probability-weighted moments (8 models), moments (3 models), and maximum likelihood (2 models). Thus, according to the results of this study, the method of least squares is for estimating the parameters of the two-parameter Weibull distribution. Furthermore, by applying the method of least squares, there is no need for trial and error or iteration procedure for estimating the two parameters of the distribution.