HE2020 Survey Methods and Sampling Techniques

Nanyang Technological University

2015/2016 Semester 2
Instructor: Wang Wei Siang
Office: HSS 04-55
Class Hours: Wednesday 9.30-11.30am
Course Web page: https://ntulearn.ntu.edu.sg

Email: wswang@ntu.edu.sg
Office Hours: By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION / OBJECTIVE

Why sampling? Often we cannot observe and collect all relevant data from the whole target
population due to various reasons (time and financial constraints, accessibility, etc). Hence, we need
to have a good selected sample that can reproduce the characteristics of interest in the population as
close as possible and the data of the sample are highly accurate measure of the population.
This course deals directly with the problems and issues associated with such circumstances. Its
applicability therefore extends to a broad range of social science disciplines including, of course,
economics.
In the course of Survey Methods and Sampling Techniques, we will mostly discuss the basics of
probability, statistical and sampling theory. The mathematics is both elementary and rigorous, and it
requires as a pre-requisite the satisfactory experience of one or two years of university mathematics
courses. Topics covered in this course include discrete probability, various linear relationships,
conditional expectation, conditional (co)variance, simple random sampling, systematic sampling,
stratified sampling, cluster sampling, etc.
This course is designed to give you basic knowledge and concepts of sampling methods and
techniques in the social sciences. In addition, it gives you guidance on how to tell when it is a valid
sampling. This can help you develop a working toolkit for the sampling survey and quantitative
analysis.
RECOMMENDED TEXT* and REFERENCE BOOKS
[1]*Sampling: Design and Analysis (2009), by Sharon L. Lohr; Publisher: Duxbury Press. (Lee Wee
Nam Library, Reserves, Level 3, Call #: HA 31.2.L833 2010)
[2] Mathematical Methods in Sample Surveys (1998) by Howard Tucker; World Scientific
Publishing
[3] Sampling Techniques (1973) by William G. Cochran; Publisher: Wiley.
[4] Survey Sampling (1965), by Leslie Kish; Publisher: Wiley-Interscience. (HSS Library, Call #:
HN29.K61)
GRADING, PROBLEM SETS, QUIZZES and EXAM
Each students performance will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Problem Sets
Participation & Attendance
Quizzes
This version: 11 January 2016

10%
15%
15%

Final Exam (closed book)

60% (Date: 5 May 2016)

There will be at least 5 problem sets throughout the course. You will have about a week to do the
problem sets. Solutions will be discussed during the tutorials. Late problem sets will be discounted
at 50%.
The problem sets will cover applications of the material we learn in class and is intended to be
learning experiences. They are an important part of the course in the sense that if you understand the
problem sets you should have little trouble with the exams. You are encouraged to work together on
the problem sets, but are required to write up your results individually and turn in your own work.
Some questions may ask you to conduct analyses on real-world data and to thoroughly write up your
results. On occasion, you will also be asked to algebraically derive or confirm theoretical results.
You will be given about 4 quizzes. Questions are based on the material that we cover in the previous
lectures and/or the material from prerequisite courses. I will not give any make-up quizzes. In the
event that a student misses the quiz with a valid reason and provides the required supporting
documentation within a week, the quizs weight will be transferred to the rest of the quizzes. The
closed-book final exam is cumulative and is based on all previous lectures, quizzes, and the basics of
statistics and econometrics.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance to both lectures and tutorials is compulsory. I will take attendance randomly. If you
miss one lecture or tutorial, you will lose at least 3 points from your final grade. Three (or more than
three) absences will affect your final grade by 15 points. Additionally, you are not allowed to change
the tutorial group after the second week of the semester.
OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are intended to clarify any questions you might have regarding the lectures. They are
not to be used to go over the lectures while you are absent. Prepare the question in advance.
Furthermore, it is your responsibility to find out what happened in class from a classmate.
^ COURSE

OUTLINE
(A) Probability and Statistics
(B) Introduction to Sampling
(C) Simple Probability Samples
(D) Ratio and Regression Estimation
(E) Stratified Sampling
(F) Cluster Sampling with Equal Probabilities
(G) Cluster Sampling with Unequal Probabilities
(H) Categorical Data Analysis in Complex Surveys (If the time permits)
(I) Regression with Complex Survey Data (If the time permits)
^The instructor reserves the right to change the content if it is in the best interest of student-learning.

This version: 11 January 2016