Social Metabolism and Labour in a Local Context: Changing Environmental Relations on Trinket Island

From a material and energetic perspective, this paper outlines the patterns of society-nature interactions of a local horticultural, hunter-and-gatherer population that lives on a remote island between India and Indonesia. Based on empirical research, we present several indicators to show an economic portfolio of a local society that combines horticulture, hunting and gathering activities with elements of industrialisation and market economy. In describing these environmental relations, the study narrows its focus to the use of three socio-ecological concepts, namely socio-economic metabolism, colonising natural processes, and the energetic return on investment. Using these concepts, we show the dynamics of social and environmental transformation at a local level and the consequences this may have for sustainability.     

Children's Voices: Conflict‐Affected Orphans in Residential Care in Jammu and Kashmir

This paper is based on a study of thirty‐one children who lost their parent(s) in the course of armed conflict in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and were put in various orphanages across the state. The qualitative research method was employed in order to examine and understand and the nature of problems faced by these children. It explores ways in which these children seek to come to terms with the reality, and highlights the importance and relevance of incorporating their views in programmes meant for their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.     

Efficient use of multi-auxiliary information in search of good rotation patterns in successive sampling

This article considers the problem of estimating the population mean on the current (second) occasion using multi-auxiliary information in successive sampling over two occasions. A general class of estimators is proposed for estimating population mean on the current occasion and expressions for bias and mean square error for these estimators are obtained up to first degree of approximation. The minimum variance bound estimator in the proposed class is discussed. Many popular estimators have been shown to belong to this class. Optimum replacement policy is also discussed. Finally, the superiority of the proposed class of estimators over multivariate version of chain type ratio estimator envisaged by Singh (2005 Singh, G.N. (2005). On the use of chain type ratio estimator in successive sampling. Stat Transition 7:21–26. [Google Scholar]) is established empirically.     

Some efficient classes of estimators of population mean in two-phase successive sampling under random non response

In this paper, an attempt has been made to present some efficient classes of estimators of population mean on current occasion in two-occasion successive sampling under random non response in two-phase setup. Effectiveness of the proposed classes of estimators has been studied under the assumptions that sampling units follow a distribution under the random non response. To check the performances, the proposed classes of estimators are compared with an estimator under the similar situation under the complete response. Results are demonstrated through empirical studies which show the reliable nature of the proposed classes of estimators. Suitable recommendations have been made to the survey practitioners.     

Effectual variance estimation strategy in two-occasion successive sampling in presence of random non response

Present investigation deals with the problem of random non response in estimation of population variance on current occasion in two-occasion successive sampling. To reduce the negative impact of random non response on both occasions, regression type imputation method has been suggested. Using auxiliary information, efficient estimation strategies have been developed for estimation of population variance on the current occasion. Estimator for the population variance is also derived as a special case when random non response occurs only on the current occasion. Empirical studies are carried out to show the dominance of suggested estimators over sample variance and exponential type estimators. Results are interpreted.     

Improvement over variance estimation using auxiliary information in sample surveys

This paper addresses the problem of estimating the population variance S²_y of the study variable y using auxiliary information in sample surveys. We have suggested a class of estimators of the population variance S²_y of the study variable y when the population variance S²_x of the auxiliary variable x is known. Asymptotic expressions of bias and mean squared error (MSE) of the proposed class of estimators have been obtained. Asymptotic optimum estimators in the proposed class of estimators have also been identified along with its MSE formula. A comparison has been provided. We have further provided the double sampling version of the proposed class of estimators. The properties of the double sampling version have been provided under large sample approximation. In addition, we support the present study with aid of a numerical illustration.     

Some effective combinations of available information under non response in two-occasion successive sampling

The present work suggests some effective linear combinations of exponential estimators to estimate the current population mean in two occasion successive sampling in presence of non response. Using the subsampling technique of non respondents, estimation procedures have been developed by utilizing information on an auxiliary variable, which is readily available on both occasions. Properties of the proposed estimation procedures have been examined and related optimum replacement strategies are suggested. Empirical studies are carried out to justify the preposition of estimators. Suitable recommendations have been made.     

A two-stage Land et al.'s randomized response model for estimating a rare sensitive attribute using Poisson distribution

The crux of this paper is to estimate the mean of the number of persons possessing a rare sensitive attribute based on the Mangat (1992 Mangat, N.S. (1992). Two stage reandomized response sampling procedure using unrelated question. J. Ind. Soc. Agric. Stat. 44(1):82–87. [Google Scholar]) randomization device by utilizing the Poisson distribution in survey sampling. It is shown that the proposed model is more efficient than Land et al. (2011 Land, M., Singh, S., Sedory, S.A. (2011). Estimation of a rare attribute using Poisson distribution. Statistics doi:10.1080/02331888.2010.524300[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) when the proportion of persons possessing a rare unrelated attribute is known. Properties of the proposed randomized response model have been studied along with recommendations. We have also extended the proposed model to stratified random sampling on the lines of Lee et al. (2013 Lee, G.S., Uhm, D., Kim, J.M. (2013). Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in stratified sampling using Poisson distribution. Statistics 47(3):575–589.[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). It has been also shown that the proposed estimator is better than Lee et al.'s (2013 Lee, G.S., Uhm, D., Kim, J.M. (2013). Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in stratified sampling using Poisson distribution. Statistics 47(3):575–589.[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) estimator. Numerical illustrations are also given in support of the present study.     

A stratified randomized response model for sensitive characteristics using the negative hypergeometric distribution

Taking clue from the pioneer work of Singh and Sedory (2013 Singh, S., Sedory, S.A. (2013). A new randomized response device for sensitive characteristics: an application of the negative hypergeometric distribution. Metron 71:3–8.[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]), we have suggested a new stratified randomized response (RR) model. The properties of the suggested stratified RR model have been studied under proportional and “Neyman” allocations. The study has been also carried out in the presence of crude prior estimates. Numerical illustrations are also given in support of the present study.