This paper considers the problem of optimum stratification for a model-based allocation under a superpopulation model. The equations giving optimum points of stratification have been derived and a few methods for finding approximately optimum points of stratification have been obtained from the equations. Numerical illustrations using generated data have been worked out and the proposed methods of stratification have been compared with equal interval stratification.
In survey planning, sometimes, there arises situation to use cluster sampling because of nature of spatial relationship between elements of population or physical feature of land over which elements are dispersed or unavailability of reliable list of elements. At the same time, there requires technique and strategy for ensuring precision of the sample in representing the parent population. Although several theoretical cum practical works have been done in cluster sampling, stratified sampling and stratified cluster sampling, so far, the problem of stratified cluster sampling for a study variable based on an auxiliary variable, which is required in practice, has never been approached. For the first time, this paper deals with the problem of optimum stratification of population of clusters in cluster sampling with clusters of equal size of a characteristic under study based on highly correlated concomitant variable for allocation proportional to stratum cluster totals under a super population model. Equations giving optimum strata boundaries (OSB) for dividing population, in which sampling unit of the population is a cluster, are obtained by minimising sampling variance of the estimator of population mean. As the equations are implicit in nature, a few methods of finding approximately optimum strata boundaries (AOSB) are deduced from the equations giving OSB. In deriving the equations, mathematical tools of calculus and algebra are used in addition to statistical methods of finding conditional expectation of variance. All the proposed methods of stratification are empirically examined by illustrating in live data, population of villages in Lunglei and Serchhip districts of Mizoram State, India, and found to perform efficiently in stratifying the population. The proposed methods may provide practically feasible solution in planning socio-economic survey.
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