The aim of the course is to provide a sound practical background to sampling and particularly to design and analysis of sample surveys.

The course covers a broad range of situations in which sampling is used, with emphasis placed on sample surveys.  The central aim is to provide the sound general background needed for carrying out a sample survey, including both practical aspects and the essential details on design and analysis.

The course will explain in concept the material in the lecture notes. Students are not expected to have all the matrix algebra skills implicit in a formal course in survey analysis, or even the more standard algebra skills needed for survey design. For reasons of clarity and convenience, some mathematical/theoretical concepts are necessary for discussing statistical techniques. Because of differences in statistical background of students enrolling on this course, some additional reading and study may be required. The course is however self-contained.

Learning Outcomes:

On successfully completing this course, you will have a preliminary understanding of how to:
1.    assess questionnaire designs, and understand core non-sampling errors
2.    understand the design of certain simple types of sample survey
3.    analyse certain simple types of sample survey and use appropriate software.

Programme and Schedule:

The course covers a broad range of situations in which sampling is used with emphasis placed on sample surveys.  The central aim of the course is to provide the sound general background needed for carrying out a sample survey, including both practical aspects and the essential details on design and analysis.

The major themes of the course will be:
•    Non-sampling aspects of sample surveys
•    Questionnaire design
•    Sample design
•    Analysis of survey data

Dates        17 & 18 April 2013  
Times         9.15am – 16.15 pm each day.
Location     Pinni B0040 (Computer classroom 40, Pinni B building at main campus)

Maximum number of students: 15

Modes of completion: Pre-assignment, active participation in classroom work, coursework assigned by teacher. All accepted students are required to send a pre-assignment by 2 April 2013 (via Moodle).

Pre-assignment:

1.    Your name and discipline
2.    The topic of your own research and a short description (theme, questions, research design, methods)
3.    What is your preliminary experience on survey design, implementation and analysis

Evaluation: Pass/fail

Teacher
Professor Stephen Haslett
Massey University
New Zealand
Email:     S.J.Haslett@massey.ac.nz
Website:    http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/departments/institute-of-fundamental-sciences/staff/academic/steve-haslett.cfm


Recommended Reading:
There is no single book which covers all aspects of the course.  The study guides are intended to be largely self-contained, so that no textbook purchase is required. The following are however recommended.  The first reference is available free from Statistics New Zealand as a pdf file. See: A Guide to Good Survey Design (2nd edition)
If purchasing one reference book only, the book by Sharon Lohr below is strongly recommended. Other material will also be provided during the course.
•    Statistics New Zealand - A Guide to Good Survey Design (edition 1 or 2)
•    Lee, E S, Forthofes, R. N. & Lorimore, R. J. - Analysis Complex Survey Data
•    Kalton, G - Introduction to Survey Sampling
•    Lohr, Sharon - Sampling: Design and Analysis, 1st or 2nd edition
•    Barnett, Vic - Sample Design: Principles and Methods, 3rd edition
    
The study material:

Course Information, Study Guide Part 1 and Study Guide Part 2.  Study Guide Part 1 covers non-sampling aspects and sample design.  Study Guide Part 2 includes study material on the analysis of sample survey data. The study material will be made available to the students electronically in advance to the course.