MA27510 - THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SAMPLING

Module Identifier

MA27510

Module Title

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SAMPLING

Academic Year

2003/2004

Co-ordinator

Dr John A Lane

Semester

Semester 2

Other staff

Miss Sylvia G Lutkins

Pre-Requisite

MA26510

Mutually Exclusive

MX37510

Course delivery

Lecture

15 x 1 hour lectures

Seminars / Tutorials

3 x 1 hour group discussions

Practical

5 x 2 hour practical classes

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Course Work:	40%
Semester Assessment	Survey Report:	60%
Supplementary Assessment	2 Hours practical examination, during which candidates may consult their notes (50%); survey report (50%).	100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, a student should be able to:

implement the theory of finite sampling;
calculate sample sizes necessary to achieve predefined goals;
draw samples of appropriate kinds from various populations;
compile a questionnaire to obtain quality information;
collect, collate, present, analyse and interpret the data from a sample survey.

Brief description

This module combines the theory of sampling with the experience of planning and conducting a sample survey.

Aims

This module will give the student an appreciation of the value of statistical theory together with the difficulties involved in the practical application of these ideas. The student will gain experience in working as part of a team, planning and organising a sample survey, producing a questionnaire, handling and analysing real data and writing a report.

Content

1. INTRODUCTION: The benefits of sampling. The need for thorough planning. Populations, sampling units, sampling frames, sampling schemes. The art of asking the right question to obtain quality information.
2. FINITE SAMPLING THEORY: Theory of simple random sampling. Finite population corrections. Stratification, Quota, Cluster, Systematic and Multi-stage methods. Comparison of sampling designs for estimating means, totals, variances, proportions. Optimal sampling when total size or total cost is fixed.
3. PLANNING A SAMPLE SURVEY: Defining the problem, setting a time-schedule, deciding upon a suitable sampling scheme, compiling a questionnaire.
4. SOME PROBLEM AREAS: Target populations. Non-response. Surveying sensitive issues. Wildlife populations, elusive populations. Post-stratification.
5. DATA ANALYSIS: Checking for errors. Analysis of contingency tables, comparing proportions, lucid presentation of results.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
F R Jolliffe (1986) Survey Design and Analysis Ellis Horwood 0853125996
Students will be expected to browse through some readily available research papers.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5