General methodology sample design and estimation

What is sample design and estimation?

Sample design is about choosing how many elements (businesses, people etc) to include in a survey in order to provide a good basis for measuring economic and social phenomena. Estimation is about producing aggregate information from data collection in samples. It includes calculating quality measures based on sampling (sampling errors).

Aims

  • to optimise the quality of statistical outputs taking account of resources through research into, and application of, effective sampling and estimation methods

  • to be open about the methods in use and to provide evidence on which to base decisions about how to conduct surveys

  • to promote integration, harmonisation and improvements in consistency of ONS outputs through the use of, for example, common methods

Current and planned areas of work

Research and consultancy in:

  • use of sampling frames

  • design of sampling schemes

  • minimisation and distribution of the burden on respondents

  • weighting and estimation

  • use of auxiliary information to improve the efficiency of sampling and estimation

  • detection and treatment of outliers in surveys

  • estimation of variances and other quality measures

Notes

For examples of methods used in specific cases, see SDE case studies.