Multipurpose sample designs - ARCHIVED

Most surveys have many purposes and a hierarchy of six levels is proposed here. Yet most theory and textbooks are based on unipurpose theory, in order to avoid the complexity and conflicts of multipurpose designs. Ten areas of conflict between purposes are shown, then problems and solutions are advanced for each. Compromises and joint solutions fortunately are feasible, because most optima are very flat; also because most “requirements” for precision are actually very flexible. To state and to face the many purposes are preferable to the common practice of hiding behind some artificially picked single purpose; and they have also become more feasible with modern computers.