Preliminaries

Abstract

This chapter reviews some basic concepts in problems of estimating a finite population parameter through a sample survey, both from a design-based approach and a model-based approach. After introducing the concepts of finite population, sample, sampling design, estimator, and sampling strategy, this chapter makes a classification of usual sampling designs and takes a cursory view of some estimators. The concept of superpopulation model is introduced and model-based theory of inference on finite population parameters and model parameters is looked into. The role of superpopulation model vis-a-vis sampling design for making inference about a finite population has been outlined. Finally, a plan of the book has been sketched.