Stat 354 Flashcards
sampling theory vs. classical statistical theory
- concerned w/ finite populations
- different goals and restrictions
- no density function, limited use of models
If N = n
complete enumeration
census
why survey? (survey vs census)
time cost speed scope accuracy
Principle steps for surveying
Objectives Resources Population Units of observation Data to collect Method of measurement organization of field work summary and analysis
steps for surveying, Objectives
precise statement of objectives
steps for surveying, resources
quantity of information “purchased” , cost of information for whole survey
resources (quantity) depend on
number of observations made (items sampled)
design of survey
Determining/setting resources
determine sample design to obtain:
- most information (lowest SE) for a given budget
- most observations/cost for a given level of precision (SE)
If resources can not meet the objective
do not survey
Target population
population of interest
collection of elements about which we wish to make inference
Element
object from which we take a measurement
Target population example
collection of voters in a community
Element example
a registred voter
Sample population
population sampled from
Discussing the target population
be aware of assumptions made to make the leap from sample population to target population
Example of sample population
collection of registered* voters in a community
observational unit
element
sampling unit
unit selected for a sample
- may contain 1+ observational units
- non-overlapping collection of elements from the population
sampling unit example
a classroom
observational unit example
a student in a classroom
sampling frame
list of all sampling units in the population
sampling frame example
list of all students in the school
list of all registered voters in the community
reduced data quality
if you ask too many questions
-focus questions, be concise
measurement methods
self-administered questionaires
telephone, email, door-to-door, internet
very important step in methods
test questionare on small-scale - pilot study, pre-test
improve and re-assess
steps for surveying, organization of field work
- train people in goals and methods
- early quality checking
- plan for non-response
steps for surveying, summary and analysis
- edit questionnaire, record errors
- methods for handling non-response
- different estimation methods
- estimation of precision
Non-response
some elements of sample fail to provide responses to survey
Non-response bias
if non-responders have differing opinions/ measurement from responders, bias occurs
non-response bias especially important when
non-response rate is high
selection bias
some units more likely to be included in sample than other
-cannot be overcome by increased n
sample
collection of sampling units drawn from sampling frame (single or multiple frames)
Literary digest poll, 1936
predicted 57% for Landon
highest response in history, 2.4million
Roosevelt won 62%
why did Literary digest fail
SRS from phone book and club membership – selection bias (only rich 1/4 of pop. had phones)
what to learn from Literary digest poll
when selection procedure is biased, no size of n will help