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Activity Number:
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513
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Type:
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Contributed
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Date/Time:
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Thursday, August 2, 2007 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
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Sponsor:
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Section on Survey Research Methods
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| Abstract - #309581 |
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Title:
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Survey Designs To Optimize Efficiency and Precision for Multiple Objectives: Methods and Applications
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Author(s):
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Stephen Williams*+ and Frank J. Potter
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Companies:
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Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. and Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
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Address:
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148 Fletcher Ct, Cary, NC, 27511,
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Keywords:
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design optimization ; nonlinear programming ; multiple survey objectives ; multi-mode surveys
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Abstract:
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Allocation of the sample among strata or sample clusters on the basis of variance components and survey costs is important to survey design. Two basic approaches to solving for optimum are: maximize precision for a fixed cost or minimize cost for a specified precision. Optimum allocation equations for an estimated mean or total of a specific population are presented in sampling methods books. However, we typically need an optimum allocation that simultaneously satisfies several types of estimates and for several inference subpopulations. In this paper we review optimization methodology, its history and its extension to such multiple survey objectives. The computer algorithm we used to solve this nonlinear equation problem is described. Two recent applications are used to demonstrate the diversity of optimization problems and the flexibility of the methodology.
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