TABLE 2 Alternative Sample Frame Designs
TABLE 2 Alternative Sample Frame Designs
| Area frame | List frame | Retired sample (area or list) | Dual frames | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Frame consists of smaller geographical units (e.g., county or county clusters) of the country; involves a multi-stage approach to selecting sample units, the first being selected areas | A frame compiled from a listing of the target population unit (typically people, households, or establishments) | Sample frame constructed or borrowed from rotated out or "retired" frames (typically area or list sample frames) | Utilization of more than one frame (e.g., random-digit dial and area) |
| Advantages | . Often provides more complete coverage of the target population . Efficiencies in (in-person) interviewing because of clustered design |
. Often provides more complete coverage of the target population (assuming lists are up-to-date) . List often contains auxiliary information that can be used for sampling or data-collection purposes |
. More cost-effective sample frame, because it has already been listed/compiled . Provides already collected unit information that can be used for sampling and data-collection purposes |
. Can provide for more cost-effective survey design . Can help to address coverage issues |
| Disadvantages | . Data-collection costs are typically much more expensive, because sampled households cannot always be interviewed by less expensive data-collection modes, e.g., by mail or telephone. . Precision of resulting survey estimates is often negatively impacted because of clustered (areas) sample design |
. Cost and resource limitations sometimes make this option unaffordable . Appropriate, accurate lists do not always exist (or are not accessible) |
. Effect of respondent burden and fatigue resulting from prior survey participation . Coverage can become an issue if the list is not updated or new growth in the area is not accounted for |
. Adds complexity to sampling, weighting and estimation . Can increase overall data-collection costs (especially when combining with area frame) |
| Examples | . Current Population Survey (Bureau of Labor Statistics-BLS) | . American Community Survey (Census Bureau) | . 1995 American Travel Survey . 2003 American Time Use Survey (BLS) |
. National Survey of America's Families (NSAF) (Urban Institute) |