Contributions to Sampling Statistics

This book contains a selection of the papers presented at the ITACOSM 2013 Conference, held in Milan in June 2013. It is intended as an international forum of scientific discussion on the developments of theory and application of survey sampling methodologies and applications in human and natural sciences. The book gathers research papers carefully selected from both invited and contributed sessions of the conference. The whole book appears to be a relevant contribution to various key aspects of sampling methodology and techniques; it deals with some hot topics in sampling theory, such as calibration, quantile-regression and multiple frame surveys, and with innovative methodologies in important topics of both sampling theory and applications. Contributions cut across current sampling methodologies such as interval estimation for complex samples, randomized responses, bootstrap, weighting, modeling, imputation, small area estimation and effective use of auxiliary information; applications cover a wide and enlarging range of subjects in official household surveys, Bayesian networks, auditing, business and economic surveys, geostatistics and agricultural statistics. The book is an updated, high level reference survey addressed to researchers, professionals and practitioners in many fields.