Category Archives: Sampling

Calculate Sample Size using Survey Sampling Online Tools: Two Samples

Written by: The DHS Program

01 Mar, 2023

Yesterday marked the first day of the 54th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission. Chief statisticians from countries worldwide are gathering to advance better data for better lives. Since 1984, The DHS Program has helped over 90 countries conduct more than 400 surveys that provide nationally representative demographic, health, gender and nutrition data that […]


Calculate Sample Size using Survey Sampling Online Tools: One Sample

Written by: The DHS Program

16 Feb, 2023

If you’ve watched this video on The DHS Program sampling procedures, you’re aware that calculating a sample size is based on many considerations. Samplers must balance data quality concerns, capacity of the implementing agency, and precision required with available funding and time for the survey. Getting the sample size right is important because “if you […]


Luminare: Providing Sample Weights for Multilevel Analysis while Protecting Confidentiality

Written by: The DHS Program

07 Oct, 2020

The DHS Program recently published a Methodological Report providing a framework for estimating “level-weights” in DHS surveys – weights that correspond to each stage of sampling. These weights are required for multilevel modeling. While the audience for the framework itself is academic researchers, the challenge of protecting respondent confidentiality while supporting data analysis is of […]


Learn how to Sample like a DHS Statistician

Written by: The DHS Program

11 Apr, 2018

Many projects provide statistical training, but what makes The DHS Program’s capacity strengthening program unique is its ability to use state-of-the-art training approaches. Building on past workshops, eLearning tools, and well-received feedback, we are pleased to announce the release of a new DHS Survey Sampling eLearning course designed for broader public consumption. In order to meet the overwhelming demand […]


Reflections on The DHS Program’s Regional Sampling Workshop

Written by: Mahmoud Elkasabi

10 Jan, 2018

In some developing countries, the knowledge and methods for complex survey sampling can be capacity gaps in national statistical offices. In many cases, survey samples are prepared by statisticians who have limited academic and field experience in sampling. For this reason, The DHS Program has developed a Regional Sampling Workshop to provide a two-week face-to-face […]


Model Datasets to the Rescue

Written by: The DHS Program

30 Mar, 2016

Have you ever wanted to start immediately working on a DHS dataset, but didn’t have a research topic? Or didn’t want to take the time to register for access? Well, The DHS Program now has the cure for all your data analysis woes! The DHS Program has created model datasets so users can become familiar […]


Sampling and Weighting with DHS Data

Written by: Mahmoud Elkasabi

16 Sep, 2015

At long last, The DHS Program has released two videos which demonstrate how to weight DHS data, concluding the Sampling and Weighting video series. The first video in the series, Introduction to DHS Sampling Procedures, as well as the second video, Introduction of Principles of DHS Sampling Weights, explained the basic concepts of sampling and weighting […]


Introducing: Sampling & Weighting at DHS

Written by: Mahmoud Elkasabi

24 Oct, 2014

In my travels as a DHS sampling statistician, I have met countless people who want to hear about the sampling techniques and procedures we use in DHS surveys. Recognizing this fact, we are working to incorporate more sampling-related capacity strengthening activities at The DHS Program. The feedback we get after these activities has only encouraged […]