History and context
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All (6) ((6 results))
- Articles and reports: 12-001-X201700254888Description:
We discuss developments in sample survey theory and methods covering the past 100 years. Neyman’s 1934 landmark paper laid the theoretical foundations for the probability sampling approach to inference from survey samples. Classical sampling books by Cochran, Deming, Hansen, Hurwitz and Madow, Sukhatme, and Yates, which appeared in the early 1950s, expanded and elaborated the theory of probability sampling, emphasizing unbiasedness, model free features, and designs that minimize variance for a fixed cost. During the period 1960-1970, theoretical foundations of inference from survey data received attention, with the model-dependent approach generating considerable discussion. Introduction of general purpose statistical software led to the use of such software with survey data, which led to the design of methods specifically for complex survey data. At the same time, weighting methods, such as regression estimation and calibration, became practical and design consistency replaced unbiasedness as the requirement for standard estimators. A bit later, computer-intensive resampling methods also became practical for large scale survey samples. Improved computer power led to more sophisticated imputation for missing data, use of more auxiliary data, some treatment of measurement errors in estimation, and more complex estimation procedures. A notable use of models was in the expanded use of small area estimation. Future directions in research and methods will be influenced by budgets, response rates, timeliness, improved data collection devices, and availability of auxiliary data, some of which will come from “Big Data”. Survey taking will be impacted by changing cultural behavior and by a changing physical-technical environment.
Release date: 2017-12-21 - 2. The organisation of statistical methodology and methodological research in national statistical offices ArchivedArticles and reports: 12-001-X201000211375Description:
The paper explores and assesses the approaches used by statistical offices to ensure effective methodological input into their statistical practice. The tension between independence and relevance is a common theme: generally, methodologists have to work closely with the rest of the statistical organisation for their work to be relevant; but they also need to have a degree of independence to question the use of existing methods and to lead the introduction of new ones where needed. And, of course, there is a need for an effective research program which, on the one hand, has a degree of independence needed by any research program, but which, on the other hand, is sufficiently connected so that its work is both motivated by and feeds back into the daily work of the statistical office. The paper explores alternative modalities of organisation; leadership; planning and funding; the role of project teams; career development; external advisory committees; interaction with the academic community; and research.
Release date: 2010-12-21 - 3. Leslie Kish - A life of giving ArchivedNotices and consultations: 12-001-X20000025530Description:
Reflection on professor Leslie Kish's life and contributions to statistics. Some of the most significant books he wrote and statistical subjects he worked on are mentioned.
Release date: 2001-02-28 - Articles and reports: 12-001-X199500114416Description:
Stanley Warner was widely known for the creation of the randomized response technique for asking sensitive questions in surveys. Over almost two decades he also formulated and developed statistical methodology for another problem, that of deriving balanced information in advocacy settings so that both positions regarding a policy issue can be fairly and adequately represented. We review this work, including two survey applications implemented by Warner in which he applied the methodology, and we set the ideas into the context of current methodological thinking.
Release date: 1995-06-15 - 5. Should we have adjusted the U.S. census of 1980? ArchivedArticles and reports: 12-001-X199200114499Description:
This paper reviews some of the arguments for and against adjusting the U.S. census of 1980, and the decision of the court.
Release date: 1992-06-15 - 6. A historical perspective on the institutional bases for survey research in the United States ArchivedArticles and reports: 12-001-X199000114559Description:
The basic theme of this paper is that the development of survey methods in the technical sense can only be well understood in the context of the development of the institutions through which survey-taking is done. Thus we consider here survey methods in the large, in order to better prepare the reader for consideration of more formal methodological developments in sampling theory in the mathematical statistics sense. After a brief introduction, we give a historical overview of the evolution of institutional and contextual factors in Europe and the United States, up through the early part of the twentieth century, concentrating on governmental activities. We then focus on the emergence of institutional bases for survey research in the United States, primarily in the 1930s and 1940s. In a separate section, we take special note of the role of the U.S. Bureau of the Census in the study of non-sampling errors that was initiated in the 1940s and 1950s. Then, we look at three areas of basic change in survey methodology since 1960.
Release date: 1990-06-15
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- Articles and reports: 12-001-X201700254888Description:
We discuss developments in sample survey theory and methods covering the past 100 years. Neyman’s 1934 landmark paper laid the theoretical foundations for the probability sampling approach to inference from survey samples. Classical sampling books by Cochran, Deming, Hansen, Hurwitz and Madow, Sukhatme, and Yates, which appeared in the early 1950s, expanded and elaborated the theory of probability sampling, emphasizing unbiasedness, model free features, and designs that minimize variance for a fixed cost. During the period 1960-1970, theoretical foundations of inference from survey data received attention, with the model-dependent approach generating considerable discussion. Introduction of general purpose statistical software led to the use of such software with survey data, which led to the design of methods specifically for complex survey data. At the same time, weighting methods, such as regression estimation and calibration, became practical and design consistency replaced unbiasedness as the requirement for standard estimators. A bit later, computer-intensive resampling methods also became practical for large scale survey samples. Improved computer power led to more sophisticated imputation for missing data, use of more auxiliary data, some treatment of measurement errors in estimation, and more complex estimation procedures. A notable use of models was in the expanded use of small area estimation. Future directions in research and methods will be influenced by budgets, response rates, timeliness, improved data collection devices, and availability of auxiliary data, some of which will come from “Big Data”. Survey taking will be impacted by changing cultural behavior and by a changing physical-technical environment.
Release date: 2017-12-21 - 2. The organisation of statistical methodology and methodological research in national statistical offices ArchivedArticles and reports: 12-001-X201000211375Description:
The paper explores and assesses the approaches used by statistical offices to ensure effective methodological input into their statistical practice. The tension between independence and relevance is a common theme: generally, methodologists have to work closely with the rest of the statistical organisation for their work to be relevant; but they also need to have a degree of independence to question the use of existing methods and to lead the introduction of new ones where needed. And, of course, there is a need for an effective research program which, on the one hand, has a degree of independence needed by any research program, but which, on the other hand, is sufficiently connected so that its work is both motivated by and feeds back into the daily work of the statistical office. The paper explores alternative modalities of organisation; leadership; planning and funding; the role of project teams; career development; external advisory committees; interaction with the academic community; and research.
Release date: 2010-12-21 - Articles and reports: 12-001-X199500114416Description:
Stanley Warner was widely known for the creation of the randomized response technique for asking sensitive questions in surveys. Over almost two decades he also formulated and developed statistical methodology for another problem, that of deriving balanced information in advocacy settings so that both positions regarding a policy issue can be fairly and adequately represented. We review this work, including two survey applications implemented by Warner in which he applied the methodology, and we set the ideas into the context of current methodological thinking.
Release date: 1995-06-15 - 4. Should we have adjusted the U.S. census of 1980? ArchivedArticles and reports: 12-001-X199200114499Description:
This paper reviews some of the arguments for and against adjusting the U.S. census of 1980, and the decision of the court.
Release date: 1992-06-15 - 5. A historical perspective on the institutional bases for survey research in the United States ArchivedArticles and reports: 12-001-X199000114559Description:
The basic theme of this paper is that the development of survey methods in the technical sense can only be well understood in the context of the development of the institutions through which survey-taking is done. Thus we consider here survey methods in the large, in order to better prepare the reader for consideration of more formal methodological developments in sampling theory in the mathematical statistics sense. After a brief introduction, we give a historical overview of the evolution of institutional and contextual factors in Europe and the United States, up through the early part of the twentieth century, concentrating on governmental activities. We then focus on the emergence of institutional bases for survey research in the United States, primarily in the 1930s and 1940s. In a separate section, we take special note of the role of the U.S. Bureau of the Census in the study of non-sampling errors that was initiated in the 1940s and 1950s. Then, we look at three areas of basic change in survey methodology since 1960.
Release date: 1990-06-15
Reference (1)
Reference (1) ((1 result))
- 1. Leslie Kish - A life of giving ArchivedNotices and consultations: 12-001-X20000025530Description:
Reflection on professor Leslie Kish's life and contributions to statistics. Some of the most significant books he wrote and statistical subjects he worked on are mentioned.
Release date: 2001-02-28
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