Sampling Strategies for the National Agricultural Statistics Service
Problem
A Changing Survey Environment
As the premier source of statistics on U.S. agriculture, NASS requires timely and reliable data covering almost every aspect of U.S. agriculture. Despite the increasing use of alternative data sources and demands for more granular and timely data, the sampling methodology for many NASS surveys has stayed constant for the last 25 years. With declining response rates and increased data collection costs, designing survey programs that leverage the use of alternative data sources to control costs and maintain data quality is critical. Furthermore, as estimation methodologies change, sample designs may need to change as well.
Solution
Modernizing NASS Surveys
Although there is a wealth of information available about the methodology for specific NASS surveys, there is not a comprehensive review of the sampling methodology for NASS programs. Reviewing and documenting current methodology across all of NASS programs is the first step in modernizing sampling methodology to meet the changing survey environment. From this documentation a future vision for sample design methodology can be formulated.
Result
A Changing Survey Environment
NORC is collaborating with NASS to create a uniform sampling philosophy for NASS’s surveys that meets the challenges of the current survey environment and aligns with NASS’s mission to provide timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture. NORC will first work with NASS to inventory existing sampling methodologies for NASS surveys. It will then perform a critical evaluation of the sampling methodologies, culminating in a report detailing a uniform vision of sampling methodologies for NASS surveys and short, medium, and long term recommendations.
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Project Leads
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Benjamin M. Reist
Principal StatisticianPrimary Investigator -
F. Jay Breidt
Senior FellowPrimary Investigator -
Jason Boim
Senior StatisticianProject Director
