Sampling With Probability Proportional to Size

Abstract Sampling with probability to proportionate to size (PPS), as the name implies, involves sampling elements that are typically arranged into natural groupings of different sizes. Sampling PPS is an efficient design when a list of the population is not available; the elements are in clusters or natural groups that differ greatly in size; it is important to control the sample size; costs and equalizing interviewer workloads are important; the use of natural divisions is possible and supplementary information is available by the natural divisions; and when the sample must be drawn in multiple stages. This entry presents a detailed example of a PPS design, a multistage area probability design, and discusses a random digit telephone sample design that uses PPS sampling.