STATS 740 : Sample Surveys

Science

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The design, management and analysis of sample surveys. Topics such as the following are studied. Types of Survey. Revision of statistical aspects of sampling. Preparing surveys. Research entry: problem selection, sponsorship and collaboration. Research design: methodology and data collection; Issues of sample design and sample selection. Conducting surveys: Questionnaires and questions; Non-sampling issues; Project management; Maintaining data quality. Concluding surveys: Analysis; Dissemination.

Course Overview

STATS 740 provides an introduction to design and analysis of sample surveys. The first part of the course focuses on the design of surveys, with examples from recent or undergoing surveys. We will define sampling frames, target populations, different types of error, sampling error and sampling designs. We will briefly introduce different sampling designs such as simple random sampling, stratified, clustered, multistage, and pps (probability proportional to size). The second part of the course involves the analysis of data that arises from sample surveys. This part is more mathematical and includes formal definitions of sampling designs, as well as formal mathematical proofs. We will study estimators of totals, ratios and regression coefficients. We will also consider post-design techniques such as post stratification, the regression estimator and calibration estimator. This course is designed for students that are interested in learning how to design and analyse surveys, including sampling theory and software. Each week has a 1-hour R tutorial and a 2-hour lecture.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points from STATS 240, 330, 340, and 15 points from Stage II Mathematics

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Graduate Profile: Master of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain and apply different probabilistic sampling designs (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  2. Apply survey sampling methods to estimate totals, means and regression coefficients under complex survey designs (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  3. Recognise and interpret feasible and useful sampling designs for different survey scenarios (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  4. Use and apply statistical software for the analyses of complex surveys (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  5. Describe methods to enhance analyses of existing sampling surveys using readily-available information (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Tutorials 5% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Test 15% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Assignments
Tutorials
Final Exam
Test
Passing requires obtaining a grade of 50% or more in the final Exam. 
Tutorial attendance is required to receive credit for it. 
 

Tuākana

Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html

Special Requirements

NA

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 150 hours per semester involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures a week, a 1 hour tutorial a week, 3.5 hours of reading and thinking about the content, 4 hours of work on assignments/tutorials per week and 2 hours of test and exam preparation per week. 



Delivery Mode

Campus Experience


 Lectures will be available as recordings. Tutorials will not be available as recordings. 

  


Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Books (available from the UoA library)

R. Groves and et.al. Survey Methodology. Second edition, 2009.

T. Lumley. Complex Surveys. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., feb 2010. doi: 10.1002/9780470580066. URL https://doi.org/10.1002/ (Links to an external site.)

C. E. Sarndal, B. Swensson, and J. Wretman. Model Assisted Survey Sampling. Springer Series in Statistics, 1992.

 L. A. Aday. Designing and conducting health surveys : a comprehensive guide. Jossey–Bass ; John Wiley, San Francisco, Calif. : Chichester, 3rd ed.. edition, 2006. ISBN 0787975605.

Software: 
R packages: survey & sampling



Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

A test will be introduced

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2023 10:54 a.m.