STS 3230 Methods in Survey Design, Sampling & Estimation
This course is concerned with the design of data collection strategies and the implications of the designs for estimators and their precision. With an emphasis on the practical applications of sampling design, this course provides students with an understanding of principles and practice in the skills required to craft questions, design surveys, sample subjects, analyze survey data and present findings to different audiences. Topics covered include the design and evaluation of the survey instrument, application of standard probability sampling designs such as stratified and cluster sampling including sample size calculation and estimation, and presentation of findings through various modes that include a data visualization component. Emphasis is on practical considerations rather than on theoretical derivations, with technology for the analysis of estimators.
Prerequisite
STS 2120 or permission of the statistics program coordinator
Course Types
Science; Advanced Studies
Course Outcomes
- Statistics promotes quantitative critical thinking skills that should serve the student in the rest of their course of studies at Elon. Specific outcomes that should prove valuable include the ability to:
• Understand the basic ideas, concepts and principles of probability sampling from an applied perspective. - • Identify and appropriately apply sampling techniques to survey design problems.
- • Compute the sample size for a variety of sample designs.
- • Understand and be able to assess the impact of the sample design on survey estimates.
- • Learn how to design and select a probability sample involving complex sampling techniques in a survey project and receive expert feedback on a sampling report.