Centre for Applied Social Surveys

SHORT COURSE: CONSTRUCTING AND USING SURVEY WEIGHTS

Supported by the ESRC

Graham Kalton

20 August 1998
Chilworth Manor Conference Centre
Southampton


CASS is an ESRC Resource Centre hosted by
SCPR and the University of Southampton, 
with the University of Surrey

Course Objectives:

  To develop an understanding of the different reasons for weighting
  in sample surveys;

  To enable participants to construct survey weights to handle unequal
  probability sampling schemes, nonresponse and noncoverage;

   To introduce participants to the use of weights in survey data
   analysis.


Course Content:

    Review of reasons for weighting and applications of weighting;

   Constructing weights for unequal selection probabilities;

    Weighting methods for nonresponse and noncoverage, to include
    standard weighting class methods and calibration methods, such as
    those based on logistic regression models, raking and regression
    models;

    Controlling weight variability;

    Adjusting household weights with person-level controls;

    Using weights in survey data analysis.

The emphasis will be on survey practice, with theoretical results
being presented but not derived.  

Related Conference:

This course will be followed by a conference on New Methods for Survey
Research on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August, also to be held at
Chilworth Manor Conference Centre.  This conference is organised by
the Association of Survey Computing (ASC) and will consist of four
half-day sessions.  CASS is collaborating with ASC in the planning of
one of these sessions on `Developments in Weighting: Using Auxiliary
Information to Improve Survey Estimation', which includes a keynote
paper by Graham Kalton.  It is intended that this session provide
extended illustrations of some of the weighting methods introduced on
the short course as well as indications of the latest developments in
this field.  The other three sessions will be concerned with
computer-assisted survey data collection and the use of models and
graphs in survey data  analysis.  For further information about this
conference send an e-mail message to [log in to unmask]


Target Audience:

The course is aimed at researchers who need to construct weighting
schemes for sample surveys and at those who wish to use weights in
survey data analysis.  It will be assumed that the audience shares a
practical focus but has interests across a wide range of applications,
including surveys in government, market research and academic
settings.  Because this course represents a rare opportunity to hear
Graham Kalton in the UK, CASS will allow the number of participants on
this course to be rather higher than on typical CASS courses.


Course Materials:

Participants will receive copies of overhead transparencies and a
reading list.


Course Presenter:

Graham Kalton is a Senior Statistician and Senior Vice President at
Westat, a large survey organization near Washington DC, and a Research
Professor in the Joint Program in Survey Methodology at the University
of Maryland.  His previous positions have included: Research Scientist
at the Survey Research Center, Professor of Biostatistics and
Professor of Statistics at the University of Michigan; Professor of
Social Statistics at the University of Southampton; and Reader in
Social Statistics at the London School of Economics.  He has published
research on various aspects of survey methodology, including a number
of papers on handling missing survey data.


Fee:

stlg140 (includes course materials, lunch and morning and afternoon tea).
 Because of ESRC support, a number of bursaries are available which
reduce the fee to stlg40 - applicants must be full-time students, UK
academic staff or ESRC-funded researchers.


Location:

Chilworth Manor Conference Centre, Southampton.


Duration:

The course will begin at 9.00am and end at 5.00pm on Thursday 20
August.


Preparatory Reading:

No prior reading will be assumed but participants may benefit from
reacquainting themselves with the basic principles of estimation in
sample surveys  e.g. 

Kalton, G (1983)  Introduction to Survey Sampling.  Quantitative
Applications in the Social Sciences Series No.35, Newbury Park: Sage.
(Especially pages 69-75). 

Some preparatory reading on weighting for nonresponse is contained in:

Elliot, D (1991)  Weighting for non-response: a survey researcher's
guide.  New Methodology Series NM17, London:  Office for Population,
Censuses and Surveys.


Accommodation:

For those participants attending the ASC conference (see above)
directly after this course we recommend that you book any additional
accommodation through the ASC.  For those participants only attending
this short course, please indicate on the registration form if you
would like accommodation at Chilworth.  A separate list of
accommodation can be provided for those wishing to book their own
accommodation in Southampton.


Deadlines and Refunds:

Course places are limited and early completion of this form is
recommended.  Payment must be made by 7 days before the course.  No
refunds can be made for cancellations made later than 7 days before
the start of the course. 

Constructing and Using Survey Weights - 20 August 1998
Registration Form

Please complete this form and return to:

 Rebecca Bundock
  Department of Social Statistics
  University of Southampton
  Southampton  SO17 1BJ

  (Fax: 01703 593846  Tel: 01703 593048  E-mail:
  [log in to unmask])


Name: ____________________
Title: __________________________


Affiliation:
_________________________________________________________________


Address for Correspondence:
___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________


E-mail: __________________________________
Telephone:_________________________


Registration fee:
 stlg   
 Either
  (1)  Standard fee             stlg140	____________


 OR

  (2)  Reduced fee with ESRC bursary         stlg40 _______			      
      You must be a registered 
        university student, UK academic
       staff or ESRC funded researcher.

       Please provide details:

      ____________________________________	

Participants attending the ASC conference are recommended to book
their accommodation through ASC.

If you wish to reserve accommodation at Chilworth Manor (equivalent to
4 star hotel) specially for the short course then please indicate your
requirements here:

Wednesday 19 August
Dinner, stlg17.50	____________		           	
Bed and breakfast, stlg60  __________ 		      

Thursday  20 August
Dinner, stlg17.50 ________________			           	
Bed and breakfast, stlg60___________   		      

(Final accommodation reservations must be made by 15 July 1998 -
bookings after that date will be subject to availability.)



If you would like to receive a list of alternative accommodation in
Southampton please tick here							            


  Total amount of fee and accommodation 	          stlg________



Please indicate either:

   Cheque enclosed payable to University of Southampton	 

or

   Send invoice to: 	_______________________________________________ 	


        _______________________________________________

        _______________________________________________


Any special dietary or other requirements:
_____________________________________


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%