Survey Methodology
Semiparametric quantile regression imputation for a complex survey with application to the Conservation Effects Assessment Project

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by Emily Berg and Cindy YuNote 1

  • Release date: June 27, 2019
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Abstract

Development of imputation procedures appropriate for data with extreme values or nonlinear relationships to covariates is a significant challenge in large scale surveys. We develop an imputation procedure for complex surveys based on semiparametric quantile regression. We apply the method to the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), a large-scale survey that collects data used in quantifying soil loss from crop fields. In the imputation procedure, we first generate imputed values from a semiparametric model for the quantiles of the conditional distribution of the response given a covariate. Then, we estimate the parameters of interest using the generalized method of moments (GMM). We derive the asymptotic distribution of the GMM estimators for a general class of complex survey designs. In simulations meant to represent the CEAP data, we evaluate variance estimators based on the asymptotic distribution and compare the semiparametric quantile regression imputation (QRI) method to fully parametric and nonparametric alternatives. The QRI procedure is more efficient than nonparametric and fully parametric alternatives, and empirical coverages of confidence intervals are within 1% of the nominal 95% level. An application to estimation of mean erosion indicates that QRI may be a viable option for CEAP.

Key Words:      Informative sample design; B-spline; Erosion.

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How to cite

Berg, E., and Yu, C. (2019). Semiparametric quantile regression imputation for a complex survey with application to the Conservation Effects Assessment Project. Survey Methodology, Statistics Canada, Catalogue No. 12-001-X, Vol. 45, No. 2. Paper available at https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/12-001-x/2019002/article/00001-eng.htm.

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ISSN : 1492-0921

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Survey Methodology publishes articles dealing with various aspects of statistical development relevant to a statistical agency, such as design issues in the context of practical constraints, use of different data sources and collection techniques, total survey error, survey evaluation, research in survey methodology, time series analysis, seasonal adjustment, demographic studies, data integration, estimation and data analysis methods, and general survey systems development. The emphasis is placed on the development and evaluation of specific methodologies as applied to data collection or the data themselves. All papers will be refereed. However, the authors retain full responsibility for the contents of their papers and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board or of Statistics Canada.

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2019

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue No. 12-001-X

Frequency: Semi-annual

Ottawa

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Table of contents

Abstract - Article main page
Section 1. Introduction
Section 2. Quantile regression imputation for complex survey data
Section 3. Asymptotic distributions and variance estimation
Section 4. Application to Conservation Effects Assessment Project
Section 5. Simulations
Section 6. Discussion
Acknowledgements
References

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