Linearization methods for single phase and two-phase samples: A cookbook approach - ARCHIVED

There are a number of asymptotically equivalent procedures for deriving the Taylor series approximation of variances for complex statistics. In Binder and Patak (1994) the theoretical justification for one class of methods was derived. However, many of these methods can be derived for practical examples using straightforward techniques that are not clearly described in Binder and Patak. In this paper we give a “cookbook” approach that can be used for many examples, and that has been shown to have good finite sample properties. Normally the method of choice becomes clear through arguments such as model-assisted methods or linearizing the jackknife; however, using our approach yields the desired results more directly. As well, we present new results on the application of these techniques to two-phase samples.