Determining the Optimum Number of Increments in Composite Sampling

Composite sampling can be more cost effective than simple random sampling. This paper considers how to determine the optimum number of increments to use in composite sampling. Composite sampling terminology and theory are outlined and a model is developed which accounts for different sources of variation in compositing and data analysis. This model is used to define and understand the process of determining the optimum number of increments that should be used in forming a composite. The blending variance is shown to have a smaller range of possible values than previously reported when estimating the number of increments in a composite sample. Accounting for differing levels of the blending variance significantly affects the estimated number of increments.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Grantor dc:publisher

Brigham Young University - Provo

Author dc:creator

• Hathaway, John Ellis

• composite sampling
• sample size
• Statistics and Probability

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/425

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:etd-1424