Sampling and Weighting Issues in the National Immunization Survey Evaluation Study

• Activity Number: 419
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Survey Research Methods
• Author(s): Kimball Jonas*+
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: Innovative methods ; sample design ; weighting

Abstract

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Census Bureau have partnered to conduct an evaluation study of the National Immunization Survey (NIS). The NIS target population, households with children age 19-35 months, can be hard to identify. The NIS Evaluation Study approaches this challenge by using the American Community Survey (ACS) as the primary sampling frame, while drawing additional sample from an information reseller file in one locality where insufficient sample is available from the ACS. This paper discusses the procedures and challenges involved in creation of the sample universe, selection of the initial sample, and weighting of the results. It also discusses prospective sample designs to maximize use of the somewhat ephemeral available sample of ACS-identified households with 19-35 month old children if the NIS becomes a continuing survey using the ACS.