FormalizingtheConceptsSimpleRandomSampling.ppt

Formalizing the Concepts:Simple Random Sampling Purpose of sampling To study a sample of the population to acquire knowledge –by observing the units selected typified by households, persons, institutions, or physical objects – and making quantitative statements about the entire population Purpose of sampling Why sampling? Saves cost compared to full enumeration Easier to control quality of sample More timely results from sample data Measurement can be destructive Unit of analysis An object on which a measurement is taken Most common units of analysis are persons, households, farms, and economic establishments Target population or universe  The complete collection of all the units of analysis to study. Examples: population living in households in a country; students in primary schools Sampling frame List of all the units of analysis whose characteristics are to be measured Comprehensive, non-overlapping and must not contain irrelevant elements Should be updated to ensure complete coverage Examples: list of establishments; census; civil registration Parameter Quantity computed from all N values in a population set Typically, a descriptive measure of a population, such as mean, variance Poverty rate, average income, etc. Objective of sampling is to estimate parameters of a population Estimator - mathematical formula or function using sample results to produce an estimate for the entire population Estimate - numerical quantity computed from sample observations of a characteristic and intended to provide information about an unknown population value (parameter). Examples: mean (average), total, proportion, ratio When the mean of individual sample estimates equals the population parameter, then the estimator is unbiased Formally, an estimator is unbiased if the expected value of the (sample) estimates is equal to the (population) parameter being estimated Random sampling Also known as scientific sampling or probability sampling Each unit has a no