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Guide to statistical information sampling for surveys (2011)

This guide outlines resources to support the learning of mathematics, statistics and operational research (MSOR) in higher education.

Sample Survey methods play a vital role in helping us to understand different aspects of the world we live in. They are designed as a statistical basis for collecting and interpreting data from finite populations and underlie much of the work on opinion polls, market research and surveys of social, medical, environmental and other issues.

We need to use statistically sound methods of data analysis and inference designed for finite populations and also methods for handling non-statistical difficulties in their application (e.g. non-sampling errors, non-response, biases produced by sensitivity issues, question biases etc).

In this short guide, we have discussed many basic concepts in finite population sampling: considering the defining issues of inference for finite populations, the distinctive fundamental sampling schemes and many of the practical results for taking samples and inferring properties of the population.

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