A Unique Collaboration: Prominent Statisticians’ Survey Work in Greece in 1946

Abstract

In 1946, Neyman, Jessen, Deming, Kempthorne, Daly, and Blythe conducted a series of sample surveys as sampling experts of the two Allied Missions that were set up to observe the preparation and conduct of the Greek parliamentary elections (March 31) and the revision of electoral rolls for the plebiscite (September 1). This article revisits these surveys, using both published and unpublished sources, and discusses the lessons learned from their history as they relate to current sampling practices.

• Deming
• Jessen
• Kempthorne
• Neyman
• Sampling practice.

Notes

At the Bureau of the Census, Hansen and Hurwitz introduced probability sampling and, among others, “made fundamental contributions to sample survey theory and practice during the period 1940–70, and many of those methods are still widely used in practice” (Rao 2005, p. 119).