Optimal estimation for finite population mean in two-phase sampling

Abstract

Using two-phase sampling scheme, we propose a general class of estimators for finite population mean. This class depends on the sample means and variances of two auxiliary variables. The minimum variance bound for any estimator in the class is provided (up to terms of ordern −1). It is also proved that there exists at least a chain regression type estimator which reaches this minimum. Finally, it is shown that other proposed estimators can reach the minimum variance bound, i.e. the optimal estimator is not unique.