A formula for determining sample size, which originally appeared in 1960, has lacked a table for easy reference. This article supplies a graph of the function and a table of values which permits easy determination of the size of sample needed to be representative of a given population. (DG)

This report presents the technical details of the sample design used for the day care survey conducted by Westat Research, Inc. under subcontract to Westinghouse Learning Corporation. It follows the recommendations of the preliminary report on sampling design (available as ED 051 880) submitted on August 15, 1970. That report presented the merits…

In this paper, a data perturbation method for minimizing the possibility of disclosure of participants' identities on a survey is described in the context of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The method distinguishes itself from most approaches because of the presence of cognitive tasks. Hence, a data edit should have minimal…

A pilot study to ascertain the most cost-efficient and statistically reliable way of obtaining data on drug use by means of the telephone was conducted. Typically, surveys of sensitive or stigmatizing information have been contaminated by an unknown amount of error due to evasive or incorrect responses. The randomized response technique, which…

The bias attributable to nonresponse in population estimates in the field of education was studied. Data were collected from responses to mathematics and science exercises administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress to a probability sample of 17-year olds, as well as a probability sample selected from nonrespondents.…

This report presents considerations for sample design and estimation procedures for the Health Examination Survey, one of the major survey programs employed by the National Center for Health Statistics. The survey collects data which provide national estimates and distributions of various health characteristics related to the growth and…

The vocabulary of sampling is examined in order to provide a clear understanding of basic sampling concepts. The basic vocabulary of sampling (population, probability sampling, precision and bias, stratification), the fundamental grammar of sampling (random sample), sample size and response rate, and cluster, multiphase, snowball, and panel…

The National Food and Agriculture Council of the Philippines regularly requires rapid feedback data for analysis, which will assist in monitoring programs to improve and increase the production of selected crops by small scale farmers. Since many other development programs in various subject matter areas also require similar statistical…

Three conceptual issues form the basis for coping with technical problems of gathering data on literacy: (1) the definition of literacy; (2) choice of criteria that can be used in properly assessing and measuring literacy; and (3) conflict between the importance and necessity of literacy assessment and the difficulty of fulfilling the prerequisite…

Intended as a reference for the convenience of students in sampling, this monograph attempts to express relevant, introductory mathematics and probability in the context of sample surveys. Although some proofs are presented, the emphasis is more on exposition of mathematical language and concepts than on the mathematics per se and rigorous proofs.…

Through utilization of effective sampling procedures, libraries may obtain substantial savings in terms of data collection costs. A theoretical statistical sampling model is presented and two types of random sampling techniques are empirically compared as to their effectiveness in estimating a library usage parameter. Implications are drawn for…

Available library statistical information is unreliable and missing in many areas. This report covers three general subjects: (1) the description of the nature of the figures that are currently available, including lists of library statistics publications, and an indication of some information which is wanted but not available; (2) a discussion of…

Increasingly, unpopular facilities are sited in sparsely populated areas for which data are unavailable. The Local Expert Procedure (LEP) estimates selected demographic characteristics of small, rural areas by combining the housing unit method of population estimation with random sampling and key informant ethnography. Factors affecting the…

Suggestions and guidelines for using the Bureau of the Census' Current Population Survey (CPS) files are provided. CPS is based on the civilian component of a national probability sample of households and is conducted by the Bureau of the Census. The survey gathers employment data on a continuing basis, as well as supplemental information on such…

This notebook contains the revised standards and guidelines for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), as well as an updated and consolidated version of NCES legislation. It is intended for NCES staff and contractors as a guide in their data collection, analysis, and dissemination. These standards and guidelines define the limits of…