Improved estimation of poisson rate distributions through a multi-mode survey design

Arbeitspapier

Researchers interested in studying the frequency of events or behaviors among a population must rely on count data provided by sampled individuals. Often, this involves a decision between live event counting, such as a behavioral diary, and recalled aggregate counts. Diaries are generally more accurate, but their greater cost and respondent burden generally yield less data. The choice of survey mode, therefore, involves a potential tradeoff between bias and variance of estimators. I use a case study comparing inferences about payment instrument use based on different survey designs to illustrate this dilemma. I then use a simulation study to show how and under what conditions a hybrid survey design can improve efficiency of estimation, in terms of mean-squared error. Overall, this work suggests that such a hybrid design can have considerable benefits as long as there is nontrivial overlap in the diary and recall samples.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Working Paper ; No. 2021-10

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Statistical Simulation Methods: General ; Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access ; Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
• Subject: recall surveys ; diaries ; bias ; mean-squared error ; multi-level models

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Hitczenko, Marcin
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
• (where): Atlanta, GA
• (when): 2021

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.29338/wp2021-10
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/244313
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET