Survey Weights: A Step-by-step Guide to Calculation

Survey Weights: A Step-by-Step Guide to Calculation is the first guide geared toward Stata users that systematically covers the major steps taken in creating survey weights, which are used to project a sample to a larger population. Sample designs can range from simple to complex, and the authors provide many examples with Stata code.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 19 March 2018
Publisher: Stata Press

Survey Weights: A Step-by-Step Guide to Calculation is the first comprehensive guide designed specifically for Stata users, covering the essential steps involved in creating survey weights. These weights are utilized to project a sample to a larger population, whether for probability or nonprobability samples. Sample designs can vary from simple, single-stage samples to more complex, multistage samples, each requiring specialized weighting techniques to account for selection probabilities, nonresponse, inaccurate coverage of a population by a sample, and auxiliary data to enhance precision and compensate for coverage errors. The authors offer numerous examples accompanied by Stata code, making it an invaluable resource for those seeking to understand and apply survey weighting in their research.
Survey Weights: A Step-by-Step Guide to Calculation is a comprehensive resource tailored specifically for Stata users, providing a systematic approach to creating survey weights. These weights are crucial for projecting a sample to a larger population, whether for probability or nonprobability samples. Sample designs can range from simple, single-stage samples to more complex, multistage samples, each requiring specialized weighting techniques to account for various factors such as selection probabilities, nonresponse, inaccurate coverage of a population by a sample, and auxiliary data to improve precision and compensate for coverage errors. The authors offer numerous examples accompanied by Stata code, making it an invaluable resource for researchers seeking to understand and apply survey weighting in their research.

Understanding survey weights is essential for ensuring the accuracy and representativeness of survey data. Survey weights are used to adjust for the biases and nonresponse rates that can occur in survey sampling, allowing for more reliable estimates and conclusions. By applying appropriate weighting techniques, researchers can obtain more accurate estimates of population parameters, such as prevalence rates, mean values, and proportions. This can have significant implications for policy-making, public health, and social research, as well as for other fields where accurate estimates of population characteristics are crucial.

There are several different types of survey weights, each designed to address specific challenges in weighting survey data. One common type of weight is the inverse probability weight (IPW), which is used when the sampling frame is incomplete or when there is a nonresponse bias. IPW assigns a weight to each respondent based on their probability of being sampled, taking into account factors such as age, gender, income, and other demographic characteristics. Another type of weight is the poststratification weight, which is used when the sampling frame is complete but there is still a nonresponse bias. Poststratification weight involves assigning weights to respondents based on their demographic characteristics and their likelihood of responding to the survey.

In addition to these types of weight, there are other techniques that can be used to adjust for nonresponse and other biases in survey data. These techniques include multiple imputation, which involves creating multiple imputed datasets based on available information, and weighting based on auxiliary data, which involves using information from other sources to adjust the weights of respondents.

Creating survey weights can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it is essential for obtaining reliable and accurate estimates of population parameters. There are several software programs available that can assist researchers in creating survey weights, including Stata, SAS, and SPSS. These programs offer a range of weighting techniques and tools that can help researchers customize their weighting approach to their specific research needs.

In conclusion, survey weights are a crucial tool for ensuring the accuracy and representativeness of survey data. By applying appropriate weighting techniques, researchers can obtain more reliable estimates of population parameters and make more informed decisions based on their findings. Understanding the different types of survey weights and the techniques used to create them is essential for researchers seeking to obtain high-quality survey data. With the help of software programs and the expertise of survey weighting specialists, researchers can create survey weights that are tailored to their specific research needs and ensure that their findings are reliable and valid.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 185 x 240 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781597182607