Sampling a rare and clustered trait in a finite population is challenging: traditional sampling designs usually require a large sample size in order to obtain reasonably accurate estimates, resulting in a considerable investment of resources in front of the detection of a small number of cases. A notable example is the case of WHO’s tubercoulosis (TB) prevalence surveys, crucial for countries that bear a high TB burden, the prevalence of cases being still less than 1%. In the latestWHOguidelines, spatial patterns are not explicitly accounted for, with the risk of missing a large number of cases; moreover, cost and logistic constraints can pose further problems. After reviewing the methodology in use by WHO, the use of adaptive and sequential approaches is discussed as natural alternatives to overcome the limitations of the current practice. A small simulation study is presented to highlight possible advantages and limitations of these alternatives, and an integrated approach, combining both adaptive and sequential features in a single sampling strategy is discussed as a promising methodological perspective
Andreis, F., Furfaro, E., Mecatti, F. (2016). Methodological perspectives for surveying rare and clustered populations: towards a sequentially adaptive approach. In SIS Proceedings.
Methodological perspectives for surveying rare and clustered populations: towards a sequentially adaptive approach
ANDREIS, FEDERICOPrimo
;FURFARO, EMANUELASecondo
;Mecatti, F.
2016
Abstract
Sampling a rare and clustered trait in a finite population is challenging: traditional sampling designs usually require a large sample size in order to obtain reasonably accurate estimates, resulting in a considerable investment of resources in front of the detection of a small number of cases. A notable example is the case of WHO’s tubercoulosis (TB) prevalence surveys, crucial for countries that bear a high TB burden, the prevalence of cases being still less than 1%. In the latestWHOguidelines, spatial patterns are not explicitly accounted for, with the risk of missing a large number of cases; moreover, cost and logistic constraints can pose further problems. After reviewing the methodology in use by WHO, the use of adaptive and sequential approaches is discussed as natural alternatives to overcome the limitations of the current practice. A small simulation study is presented to highlight possible advantages and limitations of these alternatives, and an integrated approach, combining both adaptive and sequential features in a single sampling strategy is discussed as a promising methodological perspectiveFile | Dimensione | Formato | |
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