Two-step calibration of design weights in survey sampling

ABSTRACT

In this article, a new two-step calibration technique of design weights is proposed. In the first step, the calibration weights are set proportional to the design weights in a given sample. In the second step, the constants of proportionality are determined based on different objectives of the investigator such as bias reduction or minimum mean squared error. Many estimators available in the literature can be shown to be special cases of the proposed two-step calibrated estimator. A simulation study, based on a real data set, is also included at the end. A few technical issues are raised with respect to the use of the proposed calibration technique: both limitations and benefits are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Calibration
• Estimation of total
• Bias and variance.

MATHEMATICS SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION:

• 62D05

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Editor-in-Chief Prof. N. Balakrishnan, the Editorial Assistant Ms. Dobbie Iscoe, and a learned referee for their help in bringing the original manuscript to its present form.