Estimating distribution functions from survey data

Abstract

A simple method for estimating population distribution functions and associated quantiles from sample survey data is described and some asymptotic theory for it presented. The method assumes a model-based approach to survey estimation and allows auxiliary population information to be directly incorporated into the estimation process. Monte Carlo results comparing the proposed method with conventional design-based methods are given. These suggest that the model-based approach offers significant gains when the auxiliary population information is linearly related to the survey variables of interest.