In the spotlight - Complex sample design guide and workshop
Article dated: 14 January 2010
Standard commands in statistical software typically treat data as simple random samples. The vast majority of ESDS
Government supported surveys, however, employ complex sample design features such as clustering or stratification.
Software commands designed for simple random samples do not take into account the statistical implications of complex
sample design. An important consequence of this is that the magnitude of standard errors may be underestimated (or in some
cases, overestimated). Techniques are available in statistical packages such as Stata or SPSS that incorporate complex design
features into the analysis to take into account such effects.
ESDS Government has produced an introductory guide which provides an overview of the survey design features of ESDS
Government datasets. It also provides information on analysing complex samples using Stata. Focusing on design-based
approaches, practical examples are given using the Health Survey for England (HSE).
An introductory workshop on complex
sample design was held on 20 July 2009 at the University of Manchester. The morning sessions focused on theory and statistical
concepts involved in the design and the analysis of complex surveys. In the afternoon, hands on workshops introduced design-based
approaches to survey estimation using the 'svy' suite of commands in Stata. Topics covered include producing basic descriptive
statistics, sub-population analysis, estimating design effects, and basic multivariate analysis.
The workshop will be repeated on 27 May 2010 at the University of Manchester. Further information, including a programme and booking form, will be available soon.
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