SDST3617 Sample survey methods (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department SCDS (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science) Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Dr O T K Choi, SCDS (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science) < ochoi@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr O T K Choi,Statistics & Actuarial Science)
(Prof F W H Ho,Statistics & Actuarial Science)
Course Objectives This course will cover design and implementation of sample surveys and analysis of statistical data thus obtained. Survey design includes overall survey design, design of sampling schemes and questionnaires, etc. Sampling methods include sample size determination, sampling and non-sampling errors and biases, methods of estimation of parameters from survey data, imputation for missing data etc.
Course Contents & Topics Topics may include: survey design and planning; survey quality and ethics; implementation matters like management of survey staff, respondent relationship and logistical issues; and sampling methods like simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, multi-stage sampling, sample size determination, post-stratification, ratio and regression estimation methods, non-sampling errors and biases, non-responses and missing data. Case studies of major applications of sample survey methods in the public and private sectors, with some examples on the analysis and application of the statistical data thus produced, will be discussed.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the various steps to be taken in the planning and implementation of sample surveys
CLO 2 design different sample schemes and select the most efficient and suitable one for adoption for a particular survey - make statistical inference on parameters based on a sample
CLO 3 judge whether the statistics presented by other survey takers are trustworthy
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass or already enrolled in BIOL2102, or (ECON1280 and any University level 2 course), or (SDST1601 and any University level 2 course), or (SDST1602 and any University level 2 course), or SDST2601, or (SDST1603 and any University level 2 course), or SDST2901.
Only for students admitted in 2025 and thereafter.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2U000C00 Course not offered under any Major/Minor/Professional core
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 3,4,5,6 >
2024 Major in Statistics < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 3,4,5,6 >
2023 Major in Statistics < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 3,4,5,6 >
2022 Major in Statistics < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 3,4,5,6 >
2021 Major in Statistics < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments Coursework (assignments, tutorials, and a class test) 50.0 1,2,3
Examination One 2-hour written examination 50.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 S. L. Lohr: Sampling: Design and Analysis, 2nd edition (Duxbury Press, 2010)
R. L. Scheaffer, W. Mendenhall, & R. L. Ott: Elementary Survey Sampling (Duxbury Press, 2011, 7th edition)
W. G. Cochran: Sampling Techniques (John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 1997)
R. M. Groves, F. J. Fowler, M. P. Couper, J. M. Lepkowski, E. Singer, R. Tourangeau: Survey Methodology (John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2009, 2nd edition)
L. Kish: Survey Sampling (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995)
P. Salant & D. A. Dillman: How to Conduct Your Own Survey (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1994)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL