Current Population Survey Sample Size Study

• Activity Number: 595
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 3, 2016 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Daniel Sommers* and Stephanie Chan Yang and Yang Cheng
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: Survey Requirements ; Sample Expansion ; Sample Allocation ; Survey Cost

Abstract

We investigate the Current Population Survey (CPS) sample size derived from survey reliability requirements, which are expressed in terms of the coefficient of variation (CV) and significance level. We study the CHIP sample expansion, which is designed to improve estimates that support the Children's Health Insurance Program. What is the minimum sample needed to meet design requirements for the CPS? How does the CHIP sample expansion affect our estimates? At last, we investigate minimizing variance subject to 1) the total sample size being fixed; 2) the implementation of sample reductions due to budget cutting and/or field operation cost increases.