6.4.2 - Sample expansion
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Understanding Sample Expansion
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Today, let's discuss sample expansion. Can anyone explain what sample expansion means?
Isn't it about making our survey results more accurate by relating them to the larger population?
Exactly! We use a specific mathematical approach here called the 'expansion factor.' This helps ensure that our sample reflects the population.
Can you explain how the expansion factor works?
Sure! The expansion factor is calculated using a formula. If we denote the total population as 'a', the original sampled households as 'b', and those with no response as 'd', the formula would be F = (a - d) / b. Can anyone summarize that?
So, we're adjusting the total households minus the non-responses, divided by the original samples?
That's correct! This ensures our sample size is representative. Remember, the key to effective data analysis is accurate representation.
Calculating the Expansion Factor
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Now, let’s walk through an example of calculating an expansion factor. If our total households in a zone are 1000, we sampled 200, and 50 of those did not respond, what's our expansion factor?
If we plug in the numbers, it would be F = (1000 - 50) / 200, which equals 4.75, right?
Exactly! This means each surveyed household represents about 4.75 households in the total population. Why is this important?
It helps us generalize our findings to the entire area accurately!
Exactly right! Accurate representation enhances the validity of our models.
Importance of Representation
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Can anyone tell me why it's crucial that our sample accurately represents the entire population?
If we don't represent them accurately, our conclusions might be flawed?
Correct! Flawed conclusions can lead to ineffective transportation planning. How does that impact communities?
Bad planning might mean missing public transport increases needed in certain areas.
Exactly! Proper data representation is vital for evidence-based decision-making in transportation projects.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
Sample expansion is the process of adjusting survey responses using an expansion factor to ensure that the data accurately represents the entire population of a designated zone. This adjustment accounts for differences in sample size and non-responses.
Detailed
Sample Expansion
Overview
Sample expansion is a crucial step in data preparation within transportation studies. It allows researchers to amplify the responses obtained from surveys so that they can represent the broader population of a designated zone. By defining an expansion factor, researchers can estimate the total population based on the collected sample data.
Expansion Factor
The expansion factor (F) is calculated using the formula:
F = (a - d) / b
Where:
- a = Total number of households in the population list
- b = Total number of addresses selected as the original sample
- d = Number of samples with no responses
This approach ensures that survey results are adjusted to reflect the overall demographics and characteristics of the larger population, addressing potential biases caused by sampling errors or non-responses.
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Purpose of Sample Expansion
Chapter 1 of 3
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Chapter Content
Thesecondstepinthedatapreparationis toamplify thesurveydatainordertorepresentthetotalpopulationof the zone.
Detailed Explanation
Sample expansion is a crucial process in data preparation. After collecting survey data, the goal is to ensure this data reflects the entire population of the area being studied. This is important because the survey results from a small group of households may not accurately represent the larger population. By expanding the data, researchers can make their findings more relevant to everyone in the zone.
Examples & Analogies
Think of it like tasting a small piece of cake to decide if the entire cake is good. If the sample is too small, you might get a false impression of how the whole cake tastes. Just like a chef might bake a larger version based on that small piece, data analysts use sample expansion to better understand the entire population's characteristics based on the smaller sample.
Understanding the Expansion Factor
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
This is done with the help of expansion factor which is dened as the ratio of the total number of household addressed in the population to that of the surveyed.
Detailed Explanation
The expansion factor is a mathematical tool that helps researchers determine how much to amplify their survey data. It is calculated by taking the total number of households in the entire population and dividing it by the number of households that responded to the survey. This factor allows researchers to adjust their sample data to accurately reflect the total population.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a classroom with 30 students. If a teacher only surveys 10 students about their favorite fruit and finds that 6 like apples, she would need to adjust her findings. Instead of just saying 60% of her sampled students like apples, she uses an expansion factor to imply that perhaps a similar percentage of the whole class might like apples, allowing her to better represent the wider preferences.
Calculating the Simple Expansion Factor
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Chapter Content
A simple expansion factor F for the zone i could be of the following form: F = (a / (b - d))
Detailed Explanation
To compute the expansion factor (F), you need three values: 'a' represents the total number of households in the area, 'b' is the number of addresses selected for the survey, and 'd' denotes the number of non-respondents. By substituting these values into the formula, researchers can accurately determine how to scale their survey results.
Examples & Analogies
Think of trying to gauge how many people would enjoy a new movie based on surveys from a specific group. If you know how many people were invited (a), how many actually answered the survey (b), and how many didn’t respond at all (d), you can calculate how well your group reflects the entire moviegoing audience and adjust your prediction accordingly.
Key Concepts
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Sample Expansion: Adjusting survey results to reflect the entire population representation.
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Expansion Factor: A mathematical ratio used for amplifying sample data for accurate population representation.
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Population Estimation: Using survey data to estimate the total population characteristics.
Examples & Applications
If a researcher surveys 100 households in a community of 1000, and 20 do not respond, the expansion factor would be calculated as (1000 - 20) / 100 = 9.8, meaning each response is representative of 9.8 households.
A city conducts a survey, and if 40% of the surveyed households didn't respond, the researcher must account for this loss to ensure accurate forecasts for urban transport planning.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
In sample surveys fair and bright, expand to see the full insight.
Stories
Imagine a baker counting cakes; if he only counts the ones he made today, how would he know how many he truly has to sell? Just like that, we must expand our surveys to truly understand the population.
Memory Tools
F for Factor, A for All (total population), R for Responses (sampled), N for No response. F = (A - N) / R.
Acronyms
S.E.E. = Sample Expansion for Effective representation.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Sample Expansion
The process of adjusting survey responses to represent the total population through the use of an expansion factor.
- Expansion Factor
A ratio that reflects the relationship between the total population and the surveyed sample size, used to amplify data.
- Population Estimation
The process of estimating the total number of households or individuals in a given area based on sampled data.
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