Sample size calculation for small-area estimation
N. T. Longford
Abstract
This paper describes a general approach to setting the sampling design
in surveys that are planned for making inferences about small areas
(sub-domains).
The approach requires a specification of the inferential priorities
for the areas.
Sample size allocation schemes are derived first for the direct estimator
and then for composite and empirical Bayes estimators.
The methods are illustrated on an example of planning a survey
of the population of Switzerland and estimating the mean or proportion
of a variable for each of its 26 cantons.
To appear in Survey Methodology.