Instructor: Paul J. Smith, Statistics Program

Office hours:  MWF 2-3, MW 4-5, Room MTH 4404
Telephone:  (301) 405-5104
E-mail: pjs@math.umd.edu

Textbook:  Lohr, S. L. (1999).  Sampling: Design and Analysis.   Pacific Grove, CA: Duxbury.

Prerequisites:  At least one semester of statistics, preferably STAT 401 or STAT 420.

Course Description:

Sampling refers to the statistical techniques used in political polls, marketing surveys, federal data gathering and many areas of social science and public health.

This course provides an introduction to methods of sampling and analyzing data from finite populations from both a theoretical and applied perspective. It is intended for Statistics and Mathematics students interested in applications, students in the Applied Statistics track of the Survey Methodology program, as well as students in disciplines such as business, life science or social science who need sampling in their research.

 
The mathematics used in the course is not deep, but it can be intricate. It is essential that you understand basic statistical concepts such as point estimation, confidence limits, and the central limit theorem.

STAT 440 is part of the required material for the M.A. Written Examination in Applied Statistics.

Topics:

• Basic concepts: sample design, bias, sampling and nonsampling errors.
• Simple random sampling: statistics, estimates, confidence limits, ratio and regression estimators.
• Stratified sampling.
• Cluster sampling and complex surveys.
• Nonresponse: effects and adjustments.
• Advanced topics: variance estimation, categorical data analysis and regression in complex surveys.

Course Requirements:

There will be a midterm and a final exam. Frequent homework assignments will be made, including both theoretical and applied problems. Grades will be based on the midterm (30%), homework (30%), and the final (40%). No homework will be accepted late.

References:

Cochran, W. J. (1977).  Sampling Techniques.  (3rd. ed.). New York: J. Wiley.

Sarndal, C.-E., Swensson, B., and Wretman, J. (1992)  Model Assisted Survey Sampling.  New York: Springer.