Construction of weights in surveys: a review. (English) Zbl 1381.62025

Haziza, David; Beaumont, Jean-François

Stat. Sci. 32, No. 2, 206-226 (2017).

Summary: Weighting is one of the central steps in surveys. The typical weighting process involves three major stages. At the first stage, each unit is assigned a base weight, which is defined as the inverse of its inclusion probability. The base weights are then modified to account for unit nonresponse. At the last stage, the nonresponse-adjusted weights are further modified to ensure consistency between survey estimates and known population totals. When needed, the weights undergo a last modification through weight trimming or weight smoothing methods in order to improve the efficiency of survey estimates. This article provides an overview of the various stages involved in the typical weighting process used by national statistical offices.

MSC:

62D05	Sampling theory, sample surveys
94A20	Sampling theory in information and communication theory

Keywords:

calibration estimator; design-based framework; expansion estimator; propensity score adjusted estimator; unequal probability sampling; unit nonresponse; weight smoothing; weight trimming; weighting system