Survey Methodology
An extension of the weight share method when using a continuous sampling frame

by Guillaume Chauvet, Olivier Bouriaud and Philippe BrionNote 1

  • Release date: June 30, 2023
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Abstract

The definition of statistical units is a recurring issue in the domain of sample surveys. Indeed, not all the populations surveyed have a readily available sampling frame. For some populations, the sampled units are distinct from the observation units and producing estimates on the population of interest raises complex questions, which can be addressed by using the weight share method (Deville and Lavallée, 2006). However, the two populations considered in this approach are discrete. In some fields of study, the sampled population is continuous: this is for example the case of forest inventories for which, frequently, the trees surveyed are those located on plots of which the centers are points randomly drawn in a given area. The production of statistical estimates from the sample of trees surveyed poses methodological difficulties, as do the associated variance calculations. The purpose of this paper is to generalize the weight share method to the continuous (sampled population) ‒ discrete (surveyed population) case, from the extension proposed by Cordy (1993) of the Horvitz-Thompson estimator for drawing points carried out in a continuous universe.

Key Words: Continuous sampling design; Environmental statistics; Forest inventory; Synthetic variable; Variance estimation.

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How to cite

Chauvet, G., Bouriaud, O. and Brion, P. (2023). An extension of the weight share method when using a continuous sampling frame. Survey Methodology, Statistics Canada, Catalogue No. 12-001-X, Vol. 49, No. 1. Paper available at http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/12-001-x/2023001/article/00011-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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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2023

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Catalogue No. 12-001-X

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