Carola,

I'd recommend Robert Groves et al. SURVEY METHODOLOGY, chapters 2-4 and 
chapter 10.  This provides a introductory but sophisticated discussion of 
the linkage between various sampling designs (from simple random sample to 
multi-stage cluster designs), sources of survey error, and statistical 
implications of both random and systematic error.  It's accessible to 
students with only a semester of stats, but doesn't water anything down.

Eric

>Date:    Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:14:53 -0800
>From:    Carola Herrera <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: good book on sampling and survey design for beginners
>
>Dear list participants,
>
>could anyone recommend a good introductory book to sampling and survey 
>design techniques?
>
>thanks.
>
>Carola
>************************************************************

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eric Plutzer, Guest Researcher (until Aug 2009)
Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung
Reichpietschufer 50
10785 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49-30-25491-375

     and
Academic Director, Survey Research Center
The Pennsylvania State University

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