Parameter Estimation in Stratified Cluster Sampling under Randomized Response Models for Sensitive Question Survey

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 11; no. 2; p. e0148267
• Main Authors: Pu, Xiangke, Gao, Ge, Fan, Yubo, Wang, Mian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 17-02-2016; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Analysis; Applied mathematics; Bias; Cluster Analysis; Clusters; Design; Evaluation; Humans; Mathematical models; Medical research; Methods; Models, Theoretical; Normal distribution; Parameter estimation; People and Places; Physical Sciences; Polls & surveys; Public health; Questionnaires; Random sampling; Randomization; Reproducibility of Results; Resampling (Statistics); Research and Analysis Methods; Research methodology; Researchers; Sampling; Sampling (Statistics); Sampling methods; Sexual Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires; Beijing China; China
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148267

Randomized response is a research method to get accurate answers to sensitive questions in structured sample survey. Simple random sampling is widely used in surveys of sensitive questions but hard to apply on large targeted populations. On the other side, more sophisticated sampling regimes and corresponding formulas are seldom employed to sensitive question surveys. In this work, we developed a series of formulas for parameter estimation in cluster sampling and stratified cluster sampling under two kinds of randomized response models by using classic sampling theories and total probability formulas. The performances of the sampling methods and formulas in the survey of premarital sex and cheating on exams at Soochow University were also provided. The reliability of the survey methods and formulas for sensitive question survey was found to be high.