Theory of Sample Surveys

This book began about ten years ago as an attempt to fill out the notes for a graduate course in sampling theory. It has become a monograph, intended to supplement rather than replace books already available. For example, there are many good treatments at various levels on the practical problems of survey design, and on the 'how to' of analysis. I have dealt with these issues to some extent, but have focused more on aspects of sampling theory which are not so commonly treated else where. Parts of the book can still be used in teaching, supplemented sufficiently with examples and other material. The book deals with a subject of great vitality. The theory of survey methods is developing fast, with more and more connections to other parts of statistics, as the needs of practitioners change, and as more uses of survey data become possible. As a consequence of increases in computing power and capability, data are easier to manipulate, and computer-intensive methods for analysis can be investigated with reas onable assurance that the better ones will soon be practical.