Custom Epoch Estimation for Surveys |
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Authors: | Tucker McElroy Osbert Pang George Sheldon |
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Institution: | 1. U.S. Census Bureau, Research and Methodology Directorate, Washington, DC, USA;2. U.S. Census Bureau, Center for Statistical Research and Methodology, Washington, DC, USA;3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, USA |
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Abstract: | The paper provides a method for generating epoch estimates for time series survey data, allowing for different periods of time (or even point estimates) according to user demand. The method uses a modified kriging estimator, which suppresses the contribution of sampling error variability in order to guarantee that custom epoch estimates have an interpolation property. For the veteran population variable of the American Community Survey, we utilize a simple Brownian Motion model of the population process and derive the modified kriging estimator for this case. The tuning parameters of this population model can be calibrated to the data via simple formulas. We illustrate the application of this method to the generation of point estimates of veteran population, an important objective for Veterans Affairs. |
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Keywords: | American Community Survey kriging interpolation |
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