76 – Sample Design
Exploring Sampling Techniques to Reduce Respondent Burden
Yijun Wei
Valbona Bejleri
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is exploring sampling approaches that incorporate coordination of multiple samples drawn within a year across the population in an effort to control respondent burden. Most of these sampling techniques, including both design-based and model-based approaches, utilize permanent random numbers (PRN) for the purpose of limiting the amount of overlap within a survey or between different surveys to help reduce respondent burden. However, there is little published discussion of the comparative effectiveness of PRNs when used with design-based and model-based approaches or combinations of these two at NASS. A simulation study investigates different sampling strategies (sampling design and estimator) for limiting overlap that utilize design-based and/or model-based inferences. Simulations are based on data from several USDA surveys.