Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute for two-stage randomized response model in probability proportional to size sampling using Poisson probability distribution

This paper addresses the estimation of the mean number of individuals in the population who possess a rare sensitive attribute using Poisson distribution for the situations of (i) clustered population and (ii) stratified population with clusters are strata units. Properties of the proposed estimation procedures have been discussed when the proportion of a rare unrelated non-sensitive attribute is assumed to be known as well as unknown. Empirical studies are carried out to support the theoretical results which showed dominance over Lee et al. [Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in probability proportional to size measures using Poisson distribution. Statistics (Ber). 2014;48(3):685–709] estimation procedures.     

A two-stage unrelated randomized response model for estimating a rare sensitive attribute in probability proportional to size sampling using Poisson distribution

This paper describes the estimating procedures of mean number of entities that possess a rare sensitive attribute using the Mangat (1992) randomized device, when the population consists of some clusters and the population is again stratified with some clusters in each stratum. Unbiased estimation procedures for the mean number of individuals have been discussed and their properties are described when the parameter of a rare unrelated attribute is assumed to be known and unknown. An empirical study is carried out to show the dominance of the proposed estimator over Lee et al. (2013) estimator.     

Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in probability proportional to size measures using Poisson distribution

We propose new variants of Land et al.’s [Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute using Poisson distribution. Statistics. 2011. DOI: 10.1080/02331888.2010.524300] randomized response model when a population consists of some clusters and the population is stratified with some clusters in each stratum. The estimator for the mean number of persons who possess a rare sensitive attribute, its variance, and the variance estimator are suggested when the parameter of a rare unrelated attribute is assumed to be known and unknown. The clusters are selected with and without replacement. When they are selected with replacement, the selecting probabilities for each cluster are defined depending on the cluster sizes and with equal probability. In addition, the variance comparison between a probability proportional to size (PPS) and PPS for stratification are performed. When the parameters vary in clusters, the stratified PPS has better efficiency than the PPS.     

Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in a stratified sample using Poisson distribution

This study proposes the estimators for the mean and its variance of the number of respondents who possessed a rare sensitive attribute based on stratified sampling schemes (stratified sampling and stratified double sampling). This study deals with the extension of the estimation reported in Land et al. [Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute using Poisson distribution, Statistics (2011), in press. DOI: 10.1080/02331888.2010.524300] using a Poisson distribution and an unrelated question randomized response model reported in Greenberg et al. [The unrelated question randomized response model: Theoretical framework, J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 64 (1969), 520–539]. In the stratified sampling, the estimators are proposed when the parameter of the rare unrelated attribute is known and unknown. The variances of estimators using a proportional and optimum allocation are also suggested. The proposed estimators are evaluated using a relative efficiency comparing variances of the estimators reported in Land et al. depending on the parameters and the probability of selecting a question. We showed that our proposed methods have better efficiencies than Land et al.’s randomized response model in some conditions. When the sizes of stratified populations are not given, other estimators are suggested using a stratified double sampling. For the proportional allocation, the difference between two variances in the stratified sampling and the stratified double sampling is given with the known rare unrelated attribute.     

Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in a stratified two-stage unrelated randomized response model by using Poisson probability distribution

The present article deals with the estimation of mean number of respondents who possess a rare sensitive character in presence of known and unknown proportion of a rare unrelated non-sensitive attribute by using the Poisson probability distribution in stratified random sampling as well as in stratified random double sampling. The variance of rare sensitive character is also derived under proportional and optimal allocation methods in stratified random sampling when stratum sizes are known and unknown. The properties of the suggested estimation procedures have been deeply examined. The proposed model is found to be dominant over Lee et al. [Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in a stratified sample using Poisson distribution. Statistics. 2013;47:575–589] model. Numerical illustrations are presented to support the theoretical results. Results are analysed and suitable recommendations are put forward to the survey practitioners.     

Bayesian estimation of rare sensitive attribute

Randomized response models have been used to estimate a population proportion of a sensitive attribute. A randomized device is typically employed to protect respondent's privacy in a survey. In addition, an unrelated question is asked to improve the statistical efficiency. In this article, we propose Bayesian estimation of rare sensitive attribute using randomized response technique, which includes a rare unrelated attribute. Two cases are considered, the proportion of a rare unrelated attribute is known and unknown. A simulation study is conducted to assess the performance of the models using mean absolute error and coverage probability. The results show that the performance depends on the parameters and is robust to priors.     

A new stratified three-stage unrelated randomized response model for estimating a rare sensitive attribute based on the Poisson distribution

This article suggests an efficient method of estimating a rare sensitive attribute which is assumed following Poisson distribution by using three-stage unrelated randomized response model instead of the Land et al. model (2011 Land, M., S. Singh, and S. A. Sedory. 2011. Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute using poisson distribution. Statistics 46 (3):351–60. doi:10.1080/02331888.2010.524300.[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) when the population consists of some different sized clusters and clusters selected by probability proportional to size(:pps) sampling. A rare sensitive parameter is estimated by using pps sampling and equal probability two-stage sampling when the parameter of a rare unrelated attribute is assumed to be known and unknown.

We extend this method to the case of stratified population by applying stratified pps sampling and stratified equal probability two-stage sampling. An empirical study is carried out to show the efficiency of the two proposed methods when the parameter of a rare unrelated attribute is assumed to be known and unknown.     

Calibration Estimator of a Rare Sensitive Attribute with Poisson Distribution

In this paper we consider the calibration procedure for a rare sensitive attribute with Poisson distribution which suggested by Land et al. (2012) using auxiliary information associated with the variable of interest. In the calibration procedure, we can use auxiliary information such as socio-demographical variables for the respondents of rare sensitive attribute questions from an external source, and then this estimator can be improved with respect to the problems of non coverage or non response. From the efficiency comparison study, we show that the calibrated Poisson RR estimators are more efficient than that of Land et al. (2012), when the known population cell and marginal counts of auxiliary information are used for the calibration procedure.     

Asymptotic properties of a generalized regression-type predictor of a finite population variance in probability sampling

A system of predictors for estimating a finite population variance is defined and shown to be asymptotically design-unbiased (ADU) and asymptotically design-consistent (ADC) under probability sampling. An asymptotic mean squared error (MSE) of a generalized regression-type predictor, generated from the system, is obtained. The suggested predictor attains the minimum expected variance of any design-unbiased estimator when the superpopulation model is correct. The generalized regression-type predictor and the predictor suggested by Mukhopadhyay (1990) are compared.     

Robust models in probability sampling

In the estimation of a population mean or total from a random sample, certain methods based on linear models are known to be automatically design consistent, regardless of how well the underlying model describes the population. A sufficient condition is identified for this type of robustness to model failure; the condition, which we call 'internal bias calibration', relates to the combination of a model and the method used to fit it. Included among the internally bias-calibrated models, in addition to the aforementioned linear models, are certain canonical link generalized linear models and nonparametric regressions constructed from them by a particular style of local likelihood fitting. Other models can often be made robust by using a suboptimal fitting method. Thus the class of model-based, but design consistent, analyses is enlarged to include more realistic models for certain types of survey variable such as binary indicators and counts. Particular applications discussed are the estimation of the size of a population subdomain, as arises in tax auditing for example, and the estimation of a bootstrap tail probability.     

Second-order properties of improved two-stage procedure for a multivariate normal distribution

We consider the classical two problems: (I) fixed-size confidence region estimation problem, and (II) bounded risk point estimation problem, for the mean vector μ in the N_p(μ, ∑) population when ∑ is unknown and positive definite. Healy's (1956) solution given by a two-stage procedure for the prob¬lem (I) is improved in terms of the sample size. The second-order properties of the solution to each problem are verified under the assumptions that the maximum latent root which is simple of ∑ is bounded below for (I) and tr(∑) is bounded below for (II), by respective known and positive number.     

On estimating the conditional probability of discovering a new species

Based on a capture-recapture sample of size $i;n+k,n≥ l,k ≥ 0, from a population of an unknown number of distinct species (or classes), the problem of estimating the total probability of the species unobserved in the first n selections is considered. As the estimand depends on both the unknown parameters and the data, the standard theory of estimation is inadequate for this problem A suitable definition of sufficiency is introduced and used to prove a Rao-Blackwell type result and discuss uniformly minimum mean squared error unbiased estimation. An alternative proof for an inadmissibility result is presented. The new proof gives more insight and a method for deriving improved estimators. The theoretical developments may be useful in other problems concerning inferences about random parametric functions.     

Estimation of a population size through capture-mark-recapture method: a comparison of various point and interval estimators

This article deals with the estimation of a fixed population size through capture-mark-recapture method that gives rise to hypergeometric distribution. There are a few well-known and popular point estimators available in the literature, but no good comprehensive comparison is available about their merits. Apart from the available estimators, an empirical Bayes (EB) estimator of the population size is proposed. We compare all the point estimators in terms of relative bias and relative mean squared error. Next, two new interval estimators – (a) an EB highest posterior distribution interval and (b) a frequentist interval estimator based on a parametric bootstrap method, are proposed. The comparison is then carried among the two proposed interval estimators and interval estimators derived from the currently available estimators in terms of coverage probability and average length (AL). Based on comprehensive numerical results, we rank and recommend the point estimators as well as interval estimators for practical use. Finally, a real-life data set for a green treefrog population is used as a demonstration for all the methods discussed.     

On the use of multi-auxiliary variables to neutralize the effect of non response in two-occasion successive sampling

In this work, we have suggested some linear combinations of generalized ratio type estimators in estimation of current population mean when non response occur in two occasion successive sampling. Information on multi-auxiliary variables has been used and sub-sampling of non respondents technique is utilized to cope with the negative effect of non response. Properties of the suggested estimation procedures have been examined and suitable optimum replacement strategies are discussed. Empirical studies are carried out to justify the proposition of estimators. Suitable recommendations have been made.     

A discrete probability problem in card shuffling

Abstract

There are n cards serially numbered from 1 to n. The cards are shuffled and placed in a line one after the other on top of a table with faces up. The numbers on the faces are read from left to right. If there are consecutive numbers in increasing order of magnitude the corresponding cards are merged into one. After the merger, the cards are numbered serially from one to whatever the number of cards we now have. The cards are shuffled and placed in a line one after another on top of the table with faces up. The process continues until we have only one card left. In this paper, we develop a probabilistic recurrence relation approach to obtain the mean, variance, and distribution of the number of shuffles needed. A Markov chain formulation and its properties are discussed in the paper as well.     

Joint coverage probability in a simulation study on continuous-time Markov chain parameter estimation

Parameter dependency within data sets in simulation studies is common, especially in models such as continuous-time Markov chains (CTMCs). Additionally, the literature lacks a comprehensive examination of estimation performance for the likelihood-based general multi-state CTMC. Among studies attempting to assess the estimation, none have accounted for dependency among parameter estimates. The purpose of this research is twofold: (1) to develop a multivariate approach for assessing accuracy and precision for simulation studies (2) to add to the literature a comprehensive examination of the estimation of a general 3-state CTMC model. Simulation studies are conducted to analyze longitudinal data with a trinomial outcome using a CTMC with and without covariates. Measures of performance including bias, component-wise coverage probabilities, and joint coverage probabilities are calculated. An application is presented using Alzheimer's disease caregiver stress levels. Comparisons of joint and component-wise parameter estimates yield conflicting inferential results in simulations from models with and without covariates. In conclusion, caution should be taken when conducting simulation studies aiming to assess performance and choice of inference should properly reflect the purpose of the simulation.     

A modified two-stage randomized response model for estimating the proportion of stigmatized attribute

The survey related to stigmatized characteristics leads to the non-response problem if it is conducted according to classical (direct) methods, especially, developed for non-sensitive issues; therefore, it needs to be applied appropriate survey methodology to get a reliable response from respondents in incriminating issues. Randomized response model is one of the most recent methods which is attracting the attention of survey practitioners to deal with the problems of non-response because it protects the privacy of individuals in order to acquire the truthful response. The present work proposes a new two-stage randomized response model to get rid of misleading response or non-response due to the stigmatized nature of attribute under the study. The proposed randomized response model results in the unbiased estimator of population proportion possessing the sensitive attribute. The properties of the resultant estimator have been studied and empirical comparisons are performed to show its dominance over existing estimators. Suitable recommendations have been put forward to the survey practitioners.     

A finite population quantile estimation by unequal probability sampling

Abstract

Using a model-assisted approach, this paper studies asymptotically design-unbiased (ADU) estimation of a population “distribution function” and extends to deriving an asymptotic and approximate unbiased estimator for a population quantile from a sample chosen with varying probabilities. The respective asymptotic standard errors and confidence intervals are then worked out. Numerical findings based on an actual data support the theory with efficient results.     

Generalized geometric distribution of order k: A flexible choice to randomize the response

This article focuses on the improvement of a well-celebrated randomized response technique of Kuk. A generalized randomized response technique is suggested. In particular, the generalized geometric distribution of order k is introduced as a randomization device for estimating the population proportion of a rare sensitive attribute. The proposed randomized response technique includes Singh and Grewal and Hussain et al. techniques as its special cases. Through numerical illustrations, it is established that the suggested technique is superior to the Kuk, Singh and Grewal, and Hussain et al. techniques. Flexibility of the proposed technique is also discussed.