We consider magnetohydrodynamics models and observations of transverse oscillations in prominence threads to obtain information on their physical properties such as the magnetic field strength, the plasma density, or the length. We further compare between short and long thread limits in period ratio models and compute the relative plausibility of alternative mechanisms in explaining the observed damping of transverse oscillations. Bayesian techniques are used for both analyses. The results show that the physical parameters of interest can be inferred. Values of period ratio around 1 are more likely in the long thread limit while shorter and larger values are more likely in the short thread limit. The mechanism known as resonant absorption in the Alfvén continuum is the most plausible damping mechanism.