Sample Size Adequacy in Surveys

Abstract This entry presents concepts involved in determination of sample size adequacy in sample surveys. There is a broad discussion of issues such as stratification, sampling without replacement, finite population corrections, sampling of clusters, sampling in more than one stage, and unequal weighting of observations that have a profound effect on the distribution of estimates and on the sample sizes necessary to construct reliable estimates. We include formulas for determining sample size adequacy for some of the most widely used sample designs and some practical guidelines for statistical consulting on this issue. A set of references to texts and specific articles is included.