Instructor                                                                                          Kenneth H. Pollock                                                                                  Depts of Zoology and Statistics                                                                                           231 David Clark Labs                                                                                                   515-3514                                                                                         pollock@unity.ncsu.edu
Teaching Asssistant Megan Supple -masupple@ncsu.edu Office Hrs M 2.30-3.30 and Th 1.30-2.30. 515 Cox Hall
Lecture Time and Place Tu/Th  8.30-9.45 am  in 2207 Gardner Hall
Office Hours M 1.30-2.30 and We 2.30-3.30 in 231 David Clark Labs Or By Appointment Homework Sets Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 & 9 Set 10 Set 11 Exam 3 Modified
Lecture 1 Ppt slides Lecture 3 Handout Lecture 5 Handout Subpopulation Estn Lecture 6 Handout-Hunter Survey Notes Lecture 12-14 Mule Deer Example of Stratification Motivating Stratification Cluster and Two Phase Sampling Systematic Random Sampling Lecture 23+ Capture-Recapture Methods Lecture Gordon Brown Dual Frame Sampling Notes Weighting,Imputation and Variance Calculation Notes Final Lecture ppt Some Interesting Surveys Some Interesting Survey Research at RTI (http://www.rti.org)  Sensitive Topics_ Much of the research RTI has conducted over the last 10 years has focused on sensitive behaviors. During this period, we have conducted surveys concerning HIV risk behaviors, sexual activity, illicit drug use, abusive situations, and abortion. We have found that respondents are concerned about the confidentiality of their responses, about reporting their behaviors to an interviewer, and about reporting their behaviors in their homes, where other household members might overhear. RTI has used the findings of these and other studies to improve the quality of the data we collect on sensitive topics. Since 1990, we have conducted over 100,000 interviews involving sensitive topics and have used our research to develop and implement methodologies designed to obtain complete and accurate data, including self-administered questionnaires, computer-assisted interviewing tools, and neutral-site interviews.
Religion  Survey N& O More Detail Young Obama Voters Flummox Pollsters
Grading Homeworks              20 Exam  1                     20    February 7, 2008 in class Exam  2                     20    March 13, 2008 in class Exam  3                     20    April  15,2008 Take Home due on May 1,2008. Indiv Project             20     Final Projects due May 2, 2008. TOTAL                   100
Individual Projects ST 432 Possible Topic Choices: Review of a topic: pick something related to your interests that has to do with sampling populations or surveys, or Computer Simulation to study properties of an estimator for a particular sampling model, or Carry out a pilot study of a small survey or sampling investigation on a topic of interest to you,or Some other topic you and I both agree upon. All topics have to be approved by me. I want you to choose something of interest and benefit to you. It does have to be closely related to the general course goals though. (for example a topic on survival analysis would be too far removed from finite population sampling theory or survey design) Timetable: These are hard deadlines as you will receive feedback at each stage. Penalties for lateness will apply. All material handed in has to be typed. 1. Title and Preliminary Half Page Description Feb 5, 2008 2. Rough Outline of Paper March 18, 2008 3. Complete Rough Draft Paper April 8, 2008 4. Complete Final Paper May 2, 2008 You will learn more by handing in a rough draft first and then having a chance to revise and submit a final version after getting my comments. You will be graded both on content and writing style. Both the rough draft and the final paper will be a component of the grade with most weight on the final.  Structure: Your paper will contain the following elements:  A title page with a detailed abstract or summary  A Table of Contents  A Set of Key Words  An Introduction  A Series of Sections which give the details  A Discussion and Suggestions for Future Research  Literature Cited  Tables & Figures Length and Substance: I require a minimum of 12-15 pages of text (double spaced) with extra pages of Tables, Figures, Literature Cited etc. This is a substantial task so do not wait until the last minute to get started. This can be a very valuable experience for you as writing is neglected in our undergraduate programs. Employers always state that it is a critical skill they desire in prospective employees. It is also very valuable if you are thinking of going to graduate school. Writing Guidelines
Text Thompson, S. K. (2002) Sampling, 2nd Edition, Wiley, New York. Syllabus Text Chs 1-8, 11-14. Additional Course Notes on Human Survey Techniques and  Specialised  Sampling Methods SOME OTHER GENERAL REFERENCES THAT MAY BE USEFUL  Sampling Theory Cochran, W. G ( 1967) Sampling Techniques, Wiley, New York. Lohr, S. L. (1999) Sampling Design and Analysis, Duxbury Press