Multi-phase sampling

Abstract

AbstractAttention is restricted to two-phase or double sampling. A large first-phase sample is used to generate a very good estimate of the mean or total of an auxiliary variable, x, which is relatively cheap to measure. Then, a second-phase sample is selected, usually from the first-phase sample, and both auxiliary and target variables are measured in selected second-phase population units. Two-phase ratio or regression estimators can be used effectively in this context. Errors of estimation reflect first-phase uncertainty in the mean or total of the auxiliary variable, and second-phase errors reflect the nature of the relation and correlation between auxiliary and target variables. Accuracy of the two-phase estimator of a proportion depends on sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivity is the probability that a unit possessing a trait (y = 1) will be correctly classified as such whenever the auxiliary variable, x, has value 1, whereas specificity is the probability that a unit not possessing a trait (y = 0) will be correctly classified as such whenever the auxiliary variable, x, has value 0. Optimal allocation results for estimation of means, totals, and proportions allow the most cost-effective allocation of total sampling effort to the first- and second-phases. In double sampling with stratification, a large first-phase sample estimates stratum weights, a second-phase sample estimates stratum means, and a stratified estimator gives an estimate of the overall population mean or total.