The log-likelihood is just the (natural, usually) logarithm of the ordinary likelihood function. It is numerically easier to work with, and since log is a monotonic function, equivalent.<BR><BR ...

Wassily Hoeffding, A Class of Statistics with Asymptotically Normal Distribution, The Annals of Mathematical Statistics, Vol. 19, No. 3 (Sep., 1948), pp. 293-325 ...

The purpose of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS) is to foster the development and dissemination of the theory and applications of statistics and probability. The Institute was formed at a ...